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SELECTIONS   FROM 
"THE   KORAN" 

ff 


53 


CASS 


•    •  •      •  »  *  ^ 


757  copies  of  this  edition  are  printed 
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HBHR^ 


Copyright,  igo4 
By  Nathan  Haskell  Dole 


I^OCi^i^  STEPllBtiW 


AL    KORAN 

A    PRAYER 

In  the  Name  of  the  Most  Merciful  God 

Praise  be  to  God,  the  Lord  of  all 
creatures;  the  most  merciful,  the  king 
of  the  day  of  judgment. 

Thee  do  we  worship,  and  of  thee  do 
we  beg  assistance. 

I 


515094 


Direct  us  in  the  right  way,  in  the  way 
of  those  to  whom  thou  hast  been  gra- 
cious; not  of  those  against  whom  thou 
art  incensed,  nor  of  those  who  go  astray. 

DIRECTION    TO    THE    PIOUS 

A.  L.  M.  There  is  no  doubt  in  this 
book ;  it  is  a  direction  to  the  pious,  who 
believe  in  the  mysteries,  who  observe 
the  appointed  times  of  prayer,  and  dis- 
tribute alms  out  of  what  we  have  be- 
stowed on  them ;  and  who  believe  in 
that  revelation,  which  has  been  sent 
down  unto  thee,  and  that  which  has 
been  sent  down  to  the  prophets  before 
thee,  and  have  firm  assurance  in  the  life 
to  come:  these  are  directed  by  their 
Lord,  and  they  shall  prosper. 

As  for  the  unbelievers,  it  will  be 
equal  to  them  whether  thou  admonish 
them,  or  do  not  admonish  them ;  they 
will  not  believe.  God  has  sealed  up 
their  hearts  and  their  hearing ;  a  dimness 
covers  their  sight,  and  they  shall  suffer 
a  grievous  punishment.  There  are  some 
who  say.  We  believe  in  God  and  the 


last  day,  but  are  not  believers  ;  they  seek 
to  deceive  God,  and  those  who  do  be- 
lieve, but  they  deceive  themselves  only, 
and  are  not  sensible  thereof.  There  is 
an  infirmity  in  their  hearts,  and  God  has 
increased  that  infirmity ;  and  they  shall 
suffer  a  most  painful  punishment  because 
they  have  disbelieved. 

When  one  says  unto  them.  Act  not 
corruptly  on  the  earth,  they  reply,  Verily, 
we  are  men  of  integrity. 

Are  not  they  themselves  corrupt  doers  ? 
but  they  are  not  sensible  thereof.  And 
when  one  says  unto  them, 

Believe  ye  as  others  believe ;  they 
answer.  Shall  we  believe  as  fools  be- 
lieve ? 

Are  not  they  themselves  fools  ?  but 
they  know  it  not.  When  they  meet 
those  who  believe,  they  say.  We  do 
believe :  but  when  they  retire  privately 
to  their  devils,  they  say.  We  really  hold 
with  you,  and  only  mock  at  those  people : 
God  shall  mock  at  them,  and  continue 
them  in  their  impiety  ;  they  shall  wander 
in  confusion. 

These  are  the  men  who  have  pur- 
3 


chased  error  at  the  price  of  true  direc- 
tion :  but  their  traffic  has  not  been 
gainful,  neither  have  they  been  rightly 
directed.  They  are  like  unto  one  who 
kindles  a  fire,  and  when  it  has  enlight- 
ened all  around  him,  God  takes  away 
their  light  and  leaves  them  in  darkness, 
they  shall  not  see ;  they  are  deaf,  dumb, 
and  blind,  therefore  will  they  not  repent. 
Or  like  a  stormy  cloud  from  heaven, 
fraught  with  darkness,  thunder,  and 
lightning,  they  put  their  fingers  into  their 
ears,  because  of  the  noise  of  the  thunder, 
for  fear  of  death ;  God  encompasses  the 
infidels:  the  lightning  wants  but  little 
of  taking  away  their  sight ;  as  often  as 
it  enlightens  them,  they  walk  therein, 
but  when  darkness  comes  on  them,  they 
stand  still;  and  if  God  so  pleased,  he 
would  certainly  deprive  them  of  their 
hearing  and  their  sight,  for  God  is  al- 
mighty. 

TO   THE    MEN    OF    MECCA 

O  men  of  Mecca !  serve  your  Lord 
who    has    created   you,   and   those  who 
4 


have  been  before  you :  pcradventure  ye 
will  fear  him ;  who  has  spread  the  earth 
as  a  bed  for  you,  and  the  heaven  as  a 
covering,  and  has  caused  water  to  de- 
scend from  heaven,  and  thereby  pro- 
duced fruits  for  your  sustenance. 

Set  not  up  therefore  any  equals  unto 
God,  against  your  own  knowledge.  If 
you  be  in  doubt  concerning  that  revela- 
tion which  we  have  sent  down  unto  our 
servant,  produce  a  chapter  like  unto  it, 
and  call  upon  your  witnesses,  besides 
God,  if  ye  say  truth.  But  if  ye  do  it 
not,  nor  shall  ever  be  able  to  do  it,  justly 
fear  the  fire  whose  fuel  is  men  and  stones, 
prepared  for  the  unbelievers. 

But  bear  good  tidings  unto  those  who 
believe,  and  do  good  works,  that  they 
shall  have  gardens  watered  by  rivers; 
as  often  as  they  eat  of  the  fruit  thereof 
for  sustenance,  they  shall  say.  This  is 
what  we  have  formerly  eaten  .of;  and 
they  shall  be  supplied  with  several  sorts 
of  fruit  having  a  mutual  resemblance  to 
one  another.  There  shall  they  enjoy 
wives  subject  to  no  impurity,  and  there 
shall  they  continue  for  ever. 
5 


CREATION    OF    MAN 

How  is  it  that  you  believe  not  in 
God?  Since  you  were  dead,  and  he 
gave  you  life;  he  will  hereafter  cause 
you  to  die,  and  will  again  restore  you  to 
life;  then  shall  you  return  unto  him. 

It  is  he  who  has  created  for  you 
whatsoever  is  on  earth,  and  then  set  his 
mind  to  the  creation  of  heaven,  and 
formed  it  into  seven  heavens ;  he  knows 
all  things.  When  thy  Lord  said  unto 
the  angels,  I  am  going  to  place  a  substi- 
tute on  earth,  they  said.  Wilt  thou  place 
there  one  who  will  do  evil  therein,  and 
shed  blood  ?  but  we  celebrate  thy  praise, 
and  sanctify  thee. 

God  answered.  Verily  I  know  that 
which  you  know  not;  and  he  taught 
Adam  the  names  of  all  things,  and  then 
proposed  them  to  the  angels,  and  said. 
Declare  unto  me  the  names  of  these 
things  if  you  say  truth. 

They  answered.  Praise  be  unto  thee, 
we  have  no  knowledge  but  what  thou 
teachest  us,  for  thou  art  knowing  and 
wise. 

6 


God  said,  O  Adam,  tell  them  their 
names.  And  when  he  had  told  them 
their  names,  God  said.  Did  I  not  tell 
you  that  I  know  the  secrets  of  heaven 
and  earth,  and  know  that  which  you  dis- 
cover, and  that  which  you  conceal  ? 

And  when  we  said  unto  the  angels. 
Worship  Adam,  they  all  worshipped 
him,  except  Eblis,  who  refused,  and  was 
puffed  up  with  pride,  and  became  of  the 
number  of  unbelievers. 

And  we  said,  O  Adam,  dwell  thou  and 
thy  wife  in  the  garden,  and  eat  of  the 
fruit  thereof  plentifully  wherever  you 
will ;  but  approach  not  this  tree,  lest  you 
become  of  the  number  of  the  trans- 
gressors. 

But  Satan  caused  them  to  forfeit  para- 
dise, and  turned  them  out  of  the  state 
of  happiness  wherein  they  had  been ; 
whereupon  we  said.  Get  you  down,  the 
one  of  you  an  enemy  unto  the  other; 
and  there  shall  be  a  dwelling-place  for 
you  on  earth,  and  a  provision  for  a 
season. 


PROMISE    OF    SALVATION 

Be  constant  in  prayer,  and  give  alms ; 
and  what  good  you  have  sent  before 
for  your  souls,  you  shall  find  it  with 
God;  surely  God  sees  that  which  you 
do. 

They  say.  Verily  none  shall  enter 
paradise,  except  they  who  are  Jews  or 
Christians :  this  is  their  wish. 

Say,  Produce  your  proof  of  this,  if  you 
speak  truth.  Nay,  but  he  who  resigns 
himself  to  God,  and  does  that  which  is 
right,  he  shall  have  his  reward  with  his 
Lord ;  there  shall  come  no  fear  on  them, 
neither  shall  they  be  grieved. 

The  Jews  say,  The  Christians  are 
grounded  on  nothing ;  and  the  Christians 
say.  The  Jews  are  grounded  on  nothing : 
yet  they  both  read  the  scriptures.  So 
likewise  say  they  who  know  not  the 
scripture,  according  to  their  saying.  But 
God  shall  judge  between  them  on  the  day 
of  the  resurrection,  concerning  that  about 
which  they  now  disagree.  Who  is  more 
unjust  than  he  who  prohibits  the  temples 
of  God,  that  his  name  should  be  remem- 
8 


bered  therein,  and  who    hastes  to  des- 
troy them  ? 

Those  men  cannot  enter  therein,  but 
with  fear :  they  shall  have  shame  in  this 
world,  and  in  the  next  a  grievous  punish- 
ment. To  God  belongs  the  east  and  the 
west ;  therefore,  whithersoever  you  turn 
yourselves  to  pray,  there  is  the  face  of 
God ;  for  God  is  omnipresent  and  om- 
niscient. 

UNITY    OF    GOD 

Surely  they  who  believe  not,  and  die 
in  their  unbelief,  upon  them  shall  be  the 
curse  of  God,  and  of  the  angels,  and  of 
all  men ;  they  shall  remain  under  it  for 
ever,  their  punishment  shall  not  be  allevi- 
ated, neither  shall  they  be  regarded. 

Your  God  is  one  God,  there  is  no 
God  but  he,  the  most  merciful.  Now 
in  the  creation  of  heaven  and  earth,  and 
the  vicissitude  of  night  and  day,  and  in 
the  ship  which  sails  in  the  sea,  laden 
with  what  is  profitable  for  mankind,  and 
in  the  rain-water  which  God  sends  from 
heaven,  quickening  thereby  the  dead  earth, 
and  replenishing  the  same  with  all  sorts 
9 


of  cattle,  and  in  the  change  of  winds, 
and  the  clouds  that  are  compelled  to  do 
service  between  heaven  and  earth,  are 
signs  to  people  of  understanding :  yet 
some  men  take  idols  beside  God,  and 
love  them  as  with  the  love  due  to  God ; 
but  the  true  believers  are  more  fervent 
in  love  toward  God.  Oh  that  they 
who  act  unjustly  did  perceive,  when 
they  behold  their  punishment,  that  all 
power  belongs  unto  God,  and  that  he  is 
severe  in  punishing ! 

When  those  who  have  been  followed, 
shall  separate  themselves  from  their  fol- 
lowers, and  shall  see  the  punishment,  and 
the  cords  of  relation  between  them  shall 
be  cut  in  sunder ;  the  followers  shall  say. 
If  we  could  return  to  life,  we  would  sep- 
arate ourselves  from  them,  as  they  have 
now  separated  themselves  from  us.  So 
God  will  show  them  their  works ;  they 
shall  sigh  grievously,  and  shall  not  come 
forth  from  the  fire  of  hell.  O  men, 
eat  of  that  which  is  lawful  and  good  on 
the  earth ;  and  tread  not  in  the  steps  of 
the  devil,  for  he  is  your  open  enemy. 
Verily  he  commands  you  evil  and  wicked- 
lO 


ness,  and   that  you  should   say  that  of 
God  which  you  know  not. 

TRUE    RIGHTEOUSNESS 

It  is  not  righteousness  that  you  turn 
your  faces  in  prayer  toward  the  east  and 
the  west,  but  righteousness  is  of  him 
who  believes  in  God  and  the  last  day, 
and  the  angels,  and  the  scriptures,  and 
prophets;  who  gives  money  for  God's 
sake  unto  his  kindred,  and  unto  orphans, 
and  the  needy,  and  the  stranger,  and  those 
who  ask,  and  for  redemption  of  captives ; 
who  is  constant  at  prayer,  and  gives  alms  ; 
and  of  those  who  perform  their  covenant, 
when  they  have  covenanted,  and  who 
behave  themselves  patiently  in  adversity, 
and  hardships,  and  in  time  of  violence : 
these  are  they  who  are  true,  and  these  are 
they  who  fear  God. 


It 


DEATH   TO   INFIDELS 


Consume  not  your  wealth  among 
yourselves  in  vain ;  nor  present  it  unto 
judges,  that  you  may  devour  part  of 
men's  substance  unjustly,  against  your 
own  consciences.  They  will  ask  you 
concerning  the  phases  of  the  moon. 
Answer,  They  are  times  appointed  unto 
men,  and  to  show  the  season  of  the  pil- 
grimage to  Mecca.  It  is  not  righteous- 
12 


ncss  that  you  enter  your  houses  by  the 
back  part  thereof,  but  righteousness  is  of 
him  who  fears  God.  Therefore  enter 
your  houses  by  their  doors;  and  fear 
God,  that  you  may  be  happy.  And 
fight  for  the  religion  of  God  against  those 
who  fight  against  you,  but  transgress 
not  by  attacking  them  first,  for  God 
loves  not  the  transgressors.  And  kill 
them  wherever  you  find  them,  and  turn 
them  out  of  that  whereof  they  have  dis- 
possessed you ;  for  temptation  to  idolatry 
is  more  grievous  than  slaughter :  yet 
fight  not  against  them  in  the  holy  temple, 
until  they  attack  you  therein;  but  if 
they  attack  you,  slay  them  there.  This 
shall  be  the  reward  of  the  infidels.  But 
if  they  desist,  God  is  gracious  and  mer- 
ciful. Fight  therefore  against  them, 
until  there  be  no  temptation  to  idolatry, 
and  the  religion  be  God*s :  but  if  they 
desist,  then  let  there  be  no  hostility, 
except  against  the  ungodly.  A  sacred 
month  for  a  sacred  month,  and  the  holy 
limits  of  Mecca,  if  they  attack  you 
therein,  do  you  also  attack  them  therein 
in  retaliation ;  and  whoever  transgresses 
13 


against  you  by  so  doing,  do  you  trans- 
gress against  him  in  like  manner  as  he 
has  transgressed  against  you,  and  fear 
God,  and  know  that  God  is  with  those 
who  fear  him.  Contribute  out  of  your 
substance  toward  the  defence  of  the 
religion  of  God,  and  throw  not  yourselves 
with  your  own  hands  into  perdition ;  and 
do  good,  for  God  loves  those  who  do  good. 

AN    INFIDEL 

There  is  a  man  who  causes  thee 
to  marvel  by  his  speech  concerning  this 
present  life,  and  calls  God  to  witness 
that  which  is  in  his  heart,  yet  he  is  most 
intent  in  opposing  thee;  and  when  he 
turns  away  from  thee,  he  hastens  to 
act  corruptly  in  the  earth,  and  to  destroy 
that  which  is  sown,  and  springs  up :  but 
God  loves  not  corrupt  doing.  And  if 
one  say  unto  him.  Fear  God ;  pride  seizes 
him,  together  with  wickedness ;  but  hell 
shall  be  his  reward,  and  an  unhappy 
couch  shall  it  be.  There  is  also  a  man 
who  sells  his  soul  for  the  sake  of 
those  things    which    are    pleasing  unto 


God;  and  God  is  gracious  unto  his 
servants.  O  true  believers,  enter  into 
the  true  religion  wholly,  and  follow  not 
the  steps  of  Satan,  for  he  is  your  open 
enemy.  If  you  have  slipped  after  the 
declarations  of  our  will  have  come  unto 
you,  know  that  God  is  mighty  and  wise. 
Do  the  infidels  expect  less  than  that 
God  should  come  down  to  them  over- 
shadowed with  clouds,  and  the  angels 
also  ?  but  the  thing  is  decreed,  and  to 
God  shall  all  things  return. 

Ask  the  children  of  Israel  how  many 
evident  signs  we  have  showed  them; 
and  whoever  shall  change  the  grace  of 
God,  after  it  shall  have  come  unto  him, 
verily  God  will  be  severe  in  punishing 
him.  The  present  life  was  ordained  for 
those  who  believe  not,  and  they  laugh 
the  faithful  to  scorn ;  but  they  who  fear 
God  shall  be  above  them,  on  the  day  of 
the  resurrection  :  for  God  is  bountiful 
unto  whom  he  pleases  without  measure. 


15 


WARS 

Thus  God  declares  his  signs  unto 
you,  that  you  may  understand.  Have 
you  not  considered  those  who  left  their 
habitations  (and  they  were  thousands) 
for  fear  of  death  ?  And  God  said  unto 
them,  Die;  then  he  restored  them  to 
life,  for  God  is  gracious  toward  man- 
kind; but  the  greater  part  of  men  do 
not  give  thanks.  Fight  for  the  religion 
of  God,  and  know  that  God  hears  and 
knows.  Who  is  he  that  will  lend  unto 
God  on  good  usury  ?  verily  he  will 
double  it  unto  him  manifold;  for  God 
contracts  and  extends  his  hand  as  he 
pleases,  and  to  him  shall  you  return. 

Have  you  not  considered  the  assembly 
of  the  children  of  Israel,  after  the  time 
of  Moses ;  when  they  said  unto  their 
prophet  Samuel,  Set  a  king  over  us, 
that  we  may  fight  for  the  religion  of 
God? 

The  prophet  answered.  If  you  arc 
enjoined  to  go  to  war,  will  you  be  near 
refusing  to  fight  ? 

They  answered.  And  what  should  ail 
i6 


us  that  we  should  not  fight  for  the  relig- 
ion of  God,  seeing  we  are  dispossessed 
of  our  habitations,  and  deprived  of  our 
children  ? 

But  when  they  were  enjoined  to  go  to 
war,  they  turned  back,  except  a  few  of 
them  :  and  God  knew  the  ungodly. 

And  their  prophet  said  unto  them. 
Verily  God  hath  set  Saul  king  over  you : 
they  answered.  How  shall  he  reign  over 
us,  seeing  we  are  more  worthy  of  the 
kingdom  than  he,  neither  is  he  possessed 
of  great  riches  ? 

Samuel  said,  Verily  God  has  chosen 
him  before  you,  and  has  caused  him  to 
increase  in  knowledge  and  stature,  for 
God  gives  his  kingdom  unto  whom 
he  pleases;  God  is  bounteous  and 
wise. 

And  their  prophet  said  unto  them. 
Verily  the  sign  of  his  kingdom  shall  be, 
that  the  ark  shall  come  unto  you : 
therein  shall  be  tranquillity  from  your 
Lord,  and  the  relics  which  have  been 
left  by  the  family  of  Moses,  and  the 
family  of  Aaron ;  the  angels  shall  bring 
it.  Verily  this  shall  be  a  sign  unto  you, 
17 


if  ye  believe.  And  when  Saul  departed 
with  his  soldiers,  he  said,  Verily  God 
will  prove  you  by  the  river :  for  he  who 
drinks  thereof,  shall  not  be  on  my  side 
(but  he  who  shall  not  taste  thereof  he 
shall  be  on  my  side)  except  he  who 
drinks  a  draught  out  of  his  hand.  And 
they  drank  thereof,  except  a  few  of 
them.  And  when  they  had  passed  the 
river,  he  and  those  who  believed  with 
him,  they  said.  We  have  no  strength  to- 
day against  Jalut  and  his  forces. 

But  they  who  considered  that  they 
should  meet  God  at  the  resurrection, 
said.  How  often  has  a  small  army  dis- 
comfited a  great  army,  by  the  will  of 
God  ?  and  God  is  with  those  who 
patiently  persevere.  And  when  they 
went  forth  to  battle  against  Jalut  and 
his  forces,  they  said,  O  Lord,  pour  on 
us  patience,  and  confirm  our  feet,  and 
help  us  against  the  unbelieving  people. 
Therefore  they  discomfited  them,  by  the 
will  of  God,  and  David  slew  Jalut. 
And  God  gave  him  the  kingdom  and 
wisdom,  and  taught  him  his  will ;  and  if 
God  had  not  prevented  men,  the  one  by 
I8 


the  other,  verily  the  earth  had  been  cor- 
rupted :  but  God  is  beneficent  toward 
his  creatures. 

These  are  the  signs  of  God :  we  re- 
hearse them  unto  thee  with  truth,  and 
thou  art  surely  one  of  those  who  have 
been  sent  by  God. 

THE    DIVINE    MAJESTY 

O  true  believers,  give  alms  of  that 
which  we  have  bestowed  on  you,  be- 
fore the  day  comes  wherein  there  shall 
be  no  merchandizing,  or  friendship,  or 
intercession.  The  infidels  are  unjust 
doers. 

God !  there  is  no  God  but  he ;  the 
living,  the  self-subsisting  :  neither  slum- 
ber nor  sleep  seizes  him  j  to  him  belongs 
whatever  is  in  heaven,  and  on  earth. 
Who  is  he  that  can  intercede  with  him, 
but  through  his  good  pleasure  ?  He 
knows  that  which  is  past,  and  that 
which  is  to  come  unto  them,  and  they 
shall  not  comprehend  anything  of  his 
knowledge,  but  so  far  as  he  pleases. 
His  throne  is  extended  over  heaven  and 

19 


earth,  and  the  preservation  of  both  is 
no  burden  unto  him.  He  is  the  high, 
the  mighty. 

Let  there  be  no  violence  in  religion. 
Now  is  right  direction  manifestly  dis- 
tinguished from  deceit :  whoever  there- 
fore shall  deny  Tagut,  and  believe  in 
God,  he  shall  surely  take  hold  on  a 
strong  handle,  which  shall  not  be 
broken ;  God  is  he  who  hears  and  sees. 
God  is  the  patron  of  those  who  believe ; 
he  shall  lead  them  out  of  darkness  into 
light :  but  as  to  those  who  believe  not, 
their  patrons  are  Tagut ;  they  shall  lead 
them  from  the  light  into  darkness ;  they 
shall  be  the  companions  of  hell  fire,  they 
shall  remain  therein  for  ever.  Hast  thou 
not  considered  him  who  disputed  with 
Abraham  concerning  his  Lord,  because 
God  had  given  him  the  kingdom  ?  When 
Abraham  said.  My  Lord  is  he  who  gives 
life,  and  kills :  he  answered,  I  give  life, 
and  I  kill. 

Abraham  said.  Verily  God  brings  the 
sun  from  the  east,  now  do  thou  bring  it 
from  the  west. 

Whereupon  the  infidel  was  con- 
20 


founded  i  for  God  directs  not  the 
ungodly  people. 

Or  hast  thou  not  considered  how  he 
behaved  who  passed  by  a  city  which  had 
been  destroyed,  even  to  her  foundations  ? 
He  said,  How  shall  God  quicken  this 
city,  after  she  has  been  dead  ?  And 
God  caused  him  to  die  for  an  hundred 
years,  and  afterward  raised  him  to  life. 
And  God  said.  How  long  hast  thou  tar- 
ried here  ? 

He  answered,  A  day,  or  part  of  a  day. 

God  said.  Nay,  thou  hast  tarried  here 
an  hundred  years.  Now  look  on  thy 
food  and  the  drink,  they  are  not  yet 
corrupted ;  and  look  on  thine  ass :  and 
this  have  we  done  that  we  might  make 
thee  a  sign  unto  men.  And  look  on 
the  bones  of  thine  ass,  how  we  raise 
them,  and  afterward  clothe  them  with 
flesh. 

And  when  this  was  shown  unto  him, 
he  said,  I  know  that  God  is  able  to  do 
all  things. 

And  when  Abraham  said,  O  Lord, 
show  me  how  thou  wilt  raise  the  dead ; 
God  said,  Dost  thou  not  yet  believe  ?  He 

21 


answered,  Yea ;  but  I  ask  this  that  my 
heart  may  rest  at  ease.  God  said,  take 
therefore  four  birds,  and  divide  them; 
then  lay  a  part  of  them  on  every  moun- 
tain ;  then  call  them,  and  they  shall 
come  swiftly  unto  thee:  and  know  that 
God  is  mighty  and  wise. 

The  similitude  of  those  who  lay  out 
their  substance  for  advancing  the  religion 
of  God,  is  as  a  grain  of  corn  which  pro- 
duces seven  ears,  and  in  every  ear  an 
hundred  grains;  for  God  gives  twofold 
unto  whom  he  pleases  :  God  is  bounteous 
and  wise. 


22 


GIVING  OF   ALMS 


A  FAIR  speech,  and  to  forgive,  is 
better  than  alms  followed  by  mischief. 
God  is  rich  and  merciful.  O  true  be- 
lievers, make  not  your  alms  of  none 
effect  by  reproaching,  or  mischief,  as  he 
who  lays  out  what  he  has  to  appear  unto 
men  to  give  alms,  and  believes  not  in 
God  and  the  last  day.  The  likeness  of 
such  a  one  is  as  a  flint  covered  with 
23 


earth,  on  which  a  violent  rain  falls,  and 
leaves  it  hard.  They  cannot  prosper  in 
anything  which  they  have  gained,  for 
God  directs  not  the  unbelieving  people. 

And  the  likeness  of  those  who  lay  out 
their  substance  from  a  desire  to  please 
God,  and  for  an  establishment  for  their 
souls,  is  as  a  garden  on  a  hill,  on  which 
a  violent  rain  falls,  and  it  brings  forth  its 
fruits  twofold  j  and  if  a  violent  rain  falls 
not  on  it,  yet  the  dew  falls  thereon :  and 
God  sees  that  which  you  do.  Does  any 
of  you  desire  to  have  a  garden  of  palm- 
trees  and  vines,  through  which  rivers 
flow,  wherein  he  may  have  all  kinds  of 
fruits,  and  that  he  may  attain  to  old  age, 
and  have  a  weak  offspring  ?  then  a  violent 
fiery  wind  shall  strike  it,  so  that  it  shall 
be  burned.  Thus  God  declares  his  signs 
unto  you,  that  you  may  consider. 

O  true  believers,  bestow  alms  of  the 
good  things  which  you  have  gained,  and 
of  that  which  we  have  produced  for  you 
out  of  the  earth,  and  choose  not  the  bad 
thereof,  to  give  it  in  alms,  such  as  you 
would  not  accept  yourselves,  otherwise 
than  by  connivance  :  and  know  that  God 
24 


is  rich  and  worthy  to  be  praised.  The 
devil  threatens  you  with  poverty,  and 
commands  you  filthy  covetousness ;  but 
God  promises  you  pardon  from  himself 
and  abundance :  God  is  bounteous  and 
wise.  He  gives  wisdom  unto  whom  he 
pleases;  and  he  unto  whom  wisdom  is 
given,  has  received  much  good :  but 
none  will  consider,  except  the  wise  of 
heart.  And  whatever  alms  you  give,  or 
whatever  vow  you  vow,  verily  God 
knows  it;  but  the  ungodly  shall  have 
none  to  help  them. 

If  you  make  your  alms  to  appear,  it  is 
well ;  but  if  you  conceal  them,  and  give 
them  unto  the  poor,  this  will  be  better 
for  you,  and  will  atone  for  your  sins : 
and  God  is  well  informed  of  that  which 
you  do.  The  direction  of  them  belongs 
not  unto  you;  but  God  directs  whom 
he  pleases.  The  good  that  you  shall 
give  in  alms  shall  redound  unto  your- 
selves; and  you  shall  not  give  unless 
out  of  desire  of  seeing  the  face  of  God. 

And  what  good  thing  you  shall  give  in 
alms,  it  shall  be  repaid  you,  and  you  shall 
not  be  treated  unjustly ;  unto  the  poor 
25 


who  are  wholly  employed  in  fighting  for 
the  religion  of  God,  and  cannot  go  to 
and  fro  in  the  earth  ;  whom  the  ignorant 
man  thinks  rich,  because  of  their  mod- 
esty :  you  may  know  them  by  this  mark, 
they  ask  not  men  with  importunity  ;  and 
what  good  you  shall  give  in  alms,  verily 
God  knows  it.  They  who  distribute 
alms  of  their  substance  night  and  day,  in 
private  and  in  public,  shall  have  their 
reward  with  the  Lord ;  on  them  shall  no 
fear  come,  neither  shall  they  be  grieved. 
They  who  devour  usury  shall  not 
arise  from  the  dead,  but  as  he  arises 
whom  Satan  has  infected  by  a  touch : 
this  shall  happen  to  them  because  they 
say.  Truly  selling  is  but  as  usury :  and 
yet  God  has  permitted  selling  and  for- 
bidden usury. 

THE    KINGDOM    OF    GOD 

Say,  O  God,  who  possessest  the 
kingdom  ;  thou  givest  the  kingdom  unto 
whom  thou  wilt,  and  thou  takest  away 
the  kingdom  from  whom  thou  wilt : 
thou  exaltest  whom  thou  wilt,  and  thou 
26 


humblest  whom  thou  wilt :  in  thy  hand 
is  good,  for  thou  art  almighty.  Thou 
makest  the  night  to  succeed  the  day : 
thou  bringest  forth  the  living  out  of  the 
dead,  and  thou  bringest  forth  the  dead 
out  of  the  living ;  and  providest  food  for 
whom  thou  wilt  without  measure. 

Let  not  the  faithful  take  the  infidels 
for  their  protectors,  rather  than  the 
faithful :  he  who  does  this  shall  not  be 
protected  of  God  at  all ;  unless  you  fear 
any  danger  from  them  :  but  God  warns 
you  to  beware  of  himself;  for  unto  God 
must  you  return.  Say,  Whether  you 
conceal  that  which  is  in  your  breasts,  or 
whether  you  declare  it,  God  knows  it : 
for  he  knows  whatever  is  in  heaven,  and 
whatever  is  on  earth :  God  is  almighty. 

On  the  last  day  every  soul  shall  find 
the  good  which  it  has  wrought,  present ; 
and  the  evil  which  it  has  wrought,  it 
shall  wish  that  between  itself  and  that 
were  a  wide  distance :  but  God  warns 
you  to  beware  of  himself;  for  God  is 
gracious  unto  his  servants. 

Say,  If  you  love  God,  follow  me  :  then 
God  shall  love  you,  and  forgive  you 
27 


your    sins ;    for    God    is   gracious    and 
merciful. 

Say,  Obey  God,  and  his  apostle :  but 
if  you  go  back,  verily  God  loves  not  the 
unbelievers. 


PUNISHMENT    OF    INFIDELS 

Whoever  follows  any  other  religion 
than  Islam,  it  shall  not  be  accepted  of 
him :  and  in  the  next  life  he  shall  be 
of  those  who  perish.  How  shall  God 
direct  men  who  have  become  infidels 
after  they  had  believed,  and  borne  wit- 
ness that  the  apostle  was  true,  and  mani- 
fest declarations  of  the  divine  will  had 
come  unto  them?  for  God  directs  not 
the  ungodly  people.  Their  reward  shall 
be,  that  on  them  shall  fall  the  curse  of 
God,  and  of  angels,  and  of  all  mankind : 
they  shall  remain  under  the  same  for 
ever;  their  torment  shall  not  be  miti- 
gated, neither  shall  they  be  regarded; 
except  those  who  repent  after  this,  and 
amend ;  for  God  is  gracious  and  merci- 
ful. Moreover  they  who  become  infidels 
after  they  have  believed,  and  yet  increase 
28 


in  infidelity,  their  repentance  shall  in  no 
wise  be  accepted,  and  they  are  those  who 
go  astray.  Verily  they  who  believe  not, 
and  die  in  their  unbelief,  the  world  full 
of  gold  shall  in  no  wise  be  accepted  from 
any  of  them,  even  though  he  should  give 
it  for  his  ransom;  they  shall  suffer  a 
grievous  punishment,  and  they  shall 
have  none  to  help  them. 

You  will  never  attain  unto  righteous- 
ness, until  you  give  in  alms  of  that  which 
you  love :  and  whatever  you  give,  God 
knows  it.  All  food  was  permitted  unto 
the  children  of  Israel,  except  what  Israel 
forbade  unto  himself  before  the  Penta- 
teuch was  sent  down.  Say  unto  the 
Jews,  Bring  hither  the  Pentateuch  and 
read  it,  if  ye  speak  truth.  Whoever 
therefore  contrives  a  lie  against  God 
after  this,  they  will  be  evil-doers.  Say, 
God  is  true  :  follow  therefore  the  religion 
of  Abraham  the  orthodox ;  for  he  was  no 
idolater. 

REWARDS 

And    you    shall    not   be   denied   the 
reward  of  the  good  which  you  do ;   for 
29 


God  knows  the  pious.  As  for  the  un- 
believers, their  wealth  shall  not  profit 
them  at  all,  neither  their  children,  against 
God:  they  shall  be  the  companions  of 
hell  fire ;  they  shall  continue  therein  for 
ever.  The  likeness  of  that  which  they 
lay  out  in  this  present  life,  is  as  a  wind 
wherein  there  is  a  scorching  cold :  it 
falls  on  the  standing  corn  of  those  men 
who  have  injured  their  own  souls,  and 
destroys  it.  And  God  deals  not  unjustly 
with  them;  but  they  injure  their  own 
souls. 

O  true  believers,  contract  not  an  in- 
timate friendship  with  any  besides  your- 
selves :  they  will  not  fail  to  corrupt  you. 
They  wish  for  that  which  may  cause 
you  to  perish :  their  hatred  has  already 
appeared  from  out  of  their  mouths ;  but 
what  their  breasts  conceal  is  yet  more 
inveterate.  We  have  already  shown  you 
signs  of  their  ill  will  toward  you,  if 
you  understand.  Behold,  you  love  them, 
and  they  do  not  love  you  :  you  believe  in 
all  the  scriptures,  and  when  they  meet 
you,  they  say,  We  believe;  but  when 
they  assemble  privately  together,  they 
30 


bite  their  fingers'  ends  out  of  wrath 
against  you.  Say  unto  them,  Die  in 
your  wrath :  verily  God  knows  the  in- 
nermost part  of  your  breasts. 

If  good  happen  unto  you,  it  grieves 
them  J  and  if  evil  befall  you,  they  rejoice 
at  it.  But  if  you  be  patient,  and  fear 
God,  their  subtlety  shall  not  hurt  you  at 
all;  for  God  comprehends  whatever 
they  do. 

To  God  belongs  whatever  is  in 
heaven  and  on  earth :  he  spares  whom 
he  pleases,  and  he  punishes  whom  he 
pleases  ;  for  God  is  merciful. 

O  true  believers,  devour  not  usury, 
doubling  it  twofold ;  but  fear  God,  that 
ye  may  prosper :  and  fear  the  fire  which 
is  prepared  for  the  unbelievers;  and 
obey  God,  and  his  apostle,  that  you  may 
obtain  mercy.  And  run  with  emulation 
to  obtain  remission  from  your  Lord,  and 
paradise,  whose  breath  equals  the  heavens 
and  the  earth,  which  is  prepared  for  the 
godly ;  who  give  alms  in  prosperity  and 
adversity;  who  bridle  their  anger  and 
forgive  men :  for  God  loves  the  benefi- 
cent. 

31 


And  who,  after  they  have  committed 
a  crime,  or  dealt  unjustly  with  their 
own  souls,  remember  God,  and  ask  par- 
don for  their  sins  (for  who  forgives  sins 
except  God  ?)  and  persevere  not  in  what 
they  have  done  knowingly :  their  reward 
shall  be  pardon  from  their  Lord,  and 
gardens  wherein  rivers  flow,  they  shall 
remain  therein  for  ever :  and  how  excel- 
lent is  the  reward  of  those  who  labour ! 


32 


PREDESTINATION 

Did  you  imagine  that  you  should  en- 
ter paradise,  when  as  yet  God  knew  not 
those  among  you  who  fought  strenuously 
in  his  cause ;  nor  knew  those  who  per- 
severed with  patience  ?  Moreover  you 
did  sometime  wish  for  death  before  that 
you  met  it ;  but  you  have  now  seen  it, 
and  you  looked  on,  but  retreated  from  it. 

Mohammed  is  no  more  than  an 
33 


apostle ;  the  other  apostles  have  already 
deceased  before  him  :  if  he  die  therefore, 
or  be  slain,  will  you  turn  back  on  your 
heels  ?  but  he  who  turns  back  on  his 
heels,  will  not  hurt  God  at  all ;  and  God 
will  surely  reward  the  thankful.  No 
soul  can  die  unless  by  the  permission  of 
God,  according  to  what  is  written  in  the 
book  containing  the  determinations  of 
things.  And  whoever  chooses  the  re- 
ward of  this  world,  we  will  give  him 
thereof:  but  whoever  chooses  the  re- 
ward of  the  world  to  come,  we  will  give 
him  thereof;  and  we  will  surely  reward 
the  thankful. 

TRUST   IN    GOD 

O  true  believers,  be  not  as  they  who 
believe  not,  and  said  of  their  brethren, 
when  they  had  journeyed  in  the  land  or 
had  been  at  war.  If  they  had  been  with 
us,  those  had  not  died,  nor  had  these 
been  slain :  whereas  what  befell  them 
was  so  ordained  that  God  might  make  it 
matter  of  sighing  in  their  hearts.  God 
gives  life,  and  causes  to  die :  and  God 
34 


sees  that  which  you  do.  Moreover  if 
you  be  slain,  or  die  in  defence  of  the 
religion  of  God;  verily  pardon  from 
God,  and  mercy,  is  better  than  what 
they  heap  together  of  worldly  riches. 
And  if  you  die,  or  be  slain,  verily  unto 
God  shall  you  be  gathered. 

And  as  to  the  mercy  granted  unto  the 
disobedient  from  God,  thou,  O  Moham- 
med, hast  been  mild  toward  them;  but 
if  thou  hadst  been  severe  and  hard- 
hearted, they  had  surely  separated  them- 
selves from  about  thee.  Therefore 
forgive  them,  and  ask  pardon  for  them : 
and  consult  them  in  the  affair  of  war; 
and  after  thou  hast  deliberated,  trust  in 
God;  for  God  loves  those  who  trust  in 
him.  If  God  help  you,  none  shall  con- 
quer you ;  but  if  he  desert  you,  who  is  it 
that  will  help  you  after  him  ?  Therefore 
in  God  let  the  faithful  trust.  And  let 
not  the  unbelievers  think,  because  we 
grant  them  lives  long  and  prosperous, 
that  it  is  better  for  their  souls :  we  grant 
them  long  and  prosperous  lives  only  that 
their  iniquity  may  be  increased ;  and  they 
shall  suflFer  an  ignominious  punishment. 
35 


God  is  not  disposed  to  leave  the  faithful 
in  the  condition  which  you  are  now  in, 
until  he  sever  the  wicked  from  the  good ; 
nor  is  God  disposed  to  make  you  ac- 
quainted with  what  is  a  hidden  secret, 
but  God  chooses  such  of  his  apostles  as 
he  pleases,  to  reveal  his  mind  unto : 
believe  therefore  in  God,  and  his  apos- 
tles ;  and  if  you  believe,  and  fear  God, 
you  shall  receive  a  great  reward. 

AVARICE 

And  let  not  those  who  are  covetous 
of  what  God  of  his  bounty  has  granted 
them,  imagine  that  their  avarice  is  better 
for  them :  nay,  rather  it  is  worse  for 
them.  That  which  they  have  covetously 
reserved  shall  be  bound  as  a  collar  about 
their  neck,  on  the  day  of  the  resurrec- 
tion :  unto  God  belongs  the  inheritance 
of  heaven  and  earth;  and  God  is  well 
acquainted  with  what  you  do. 

God  has  already  heard  the  saying  of 
those  who  said.  Verily  God  is  poor,  and 
we  are  rich :  we  will  surely  write  down 
what  they  have  said,  and  the  slaughter 

36 


/ 


which  they  have  made  of  the  prophets 
without  a  cause;  and  we  will  say  unto 
them,  Taste  you  the  pain  of  burning. 

This  shall  they  suffer  for  the  evil 
which  their  hands  have  sent  before 
them,  and  because  God  is  not  unjust 
toward  mankind;  who  also  say,  Surely 
God  has  commanded  us,  that  we  should 
not  give  credit  to  any  apostle,  until  one 
should  come  unto  us  with  a  sacrifice, 
which  should  be  consumed  by  fire.  Say, 
Apostles  have  already  come  unto  you 
before  me,  with  plain  proofs,  and  with 
the  miracle  which  you  mention:  why 
therefore  have  you  slain  them,  if  you 
speak  truth  ?  If  they  accuse  thee  of 
imposture,  the  apostles  before  thee  have 
also  been  accounted  impostors,  who 
brought  evident  demonstrations,  and  the 
scriptures,  and  the  book  which  enlight- 
ened the  understanding. 


37 


AFTER  DEATH 


Every  soul  shall  taste  of  death,  and 
you  shall  have  your  rewards  on  the  day 
of  resurrection ;  and  he  who  shall  be  far 
removed  from  hell  fire,  and  shall  be 
admitted  into  paradise,  shall  be  happy : 
but  the  present  life  is  only  a  deceitful 
provision.  You  shall  surely  be  proved 
in  your  possessions,  and  in  your  persons  ; 
and  you  shall  bear  from  those  unto  whom 

38 


the  scripture  was  delivered  before  you 
and  from  the  idolaters,  much  hurt :  but 
if  you  be  patient,  and  fear  God,  this  is  a 
matter  that  is  absolutely  determined. 
And  when  God  accepted  the  covenant  of 
those  to  whom  the  book  of  the  law  was 
given,  saying.  You  shall  surely  publish  it 
unto  mankind,  you  shall  not  hide  it ;  yet 
they  threw  it  behind  their  backs,  and 
sold  it  for  a  small  price;  but  woeful  is 
the  price  for  which  they  have  sold  it. 
Think  not  that  they  who  rejoice  at  what 
they  have  done,  and  expect  to  be  praised 
for  what  they  have  not  done ;  think  not, 
O  prophet,  that  they  shall  escape  from 
punishment,  for  they  shall  suffer  a  pain- 
ful punishment;  and  unto  God  belongs 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  and  earth ;  God 
is  almighty. 

Now  in  the  creation  of  heaven  and 
earth,  and  the  vicissitude  of  night  and 
day,  are  signs  unto  those  who  are  en- 
dued with  understanding ;  who  remember 
God  standing,  and  sitting,  and  lying  on 
their  sides ;  and  meditate  on  the  creation 
of  heaven  and  earth,  saying, 

O  Lord,  thou  hast  not  created  this  in 

39 


vain ;  far  be  it  from  thee  :  therefore  de- 
liver us  from  the  torment  of  hell  fire  :  O 
Lord,  surely  whom  thou  shalt  throw  into 
the  fire,  thou  wilt  also  cover  with  shame ; 
nor  shall  the  ungodly  have  any  to  help 
them. 

EVIL    COMPANIONSHIP 

Serve  God,  and  associate  no  creature 
with  him;  and  show  kindness  unto 
parents,  relations,  and  orphans,  and  the 
poor,  and  your  neighbour  who  is  of  kin 
to  you,  and  also  your  neighbour  who  is 
a  stranger,  and  to  your  familiar  compan- 
ion, and  the  traveller,  and  the  captives 
whom  your  right  hands  shall  possess; 
for  God  loves  not  the  proud  or  vain- 
glorious, who  are  covetous,  and  recom- 
mend covetousness  unto  men,  and  con- 
ceal that  which  God  of  his  bounty  has 
given  them  (we  have  prepared  a  shame- 
ful punishment  for  the  unbelievers) ;  and 
who  bestow  their  wealth  in  charity  to 
be  observed  of  men,  and  believe  not  in 
God,  nor  in  the  last  day ;  and  whoever 
has  Satan  for  a  companion,  an  evil 
companion !  And  what  harm  would 
40 


befall  them  if  they  should  believe  in 
God  and  the  last  day,  and  give  alms  out 
of  that  which  God  has  bestowed  on 
them  ?  since  God  knows  them  who  do 
this. 

Verily  God  will  not  wrong  any 
one  even  the  weight  of  an  ant :  and  if  it 
be  a  good  action,  he  will  double  it,  and 
will  recompense  it  in  his  sight  with  a 
great  reward. 

BELIEF 

O  you  to  whom  the  scriptures  have 
been  given,  believe  in  the  revelation 
which  we  have  sent  down,  confirming 
that  which  is  with  youj  before  we 
deface  your  countenances,  and  wring 
your  necks;  or  curse  them,  as  we 
cursed  those  who  transgressed  on  the 
sabbath  day ;  and  the  command  of  God 
was  fulfilled. 

Surely  God  will  not  pardon  idolatry ; 
but  will  pardon  any  other  sin,  except 
that,  to  whom  he  pleases :  and  whoever 
gives  a  companion  unto  God,  has  de- 
vised a  great  wickedness. 

Hast  thou  not  observed  those  who 
41 


justify  themselves  ?  But  God  justifies 
whomever  he  pleases,  nor  shall  they 
be  wronged  a  hair.  Behold,  how  they 
imagine  a  lie  against  Godj  and  therein 
is  iniquity  sufficiently  manifest.  Hast 
thou  not  considered  those  to  whom  part 
of  the  scripture  has  been  given  ?  They 
believe  in  false  gods  and  idols,  and  say 
of  those  who  believe  not.  These  are 
more  rightly  directed  in  the  way  of  truth 
than  they  who  believe  on  Mohammed. 

Those  are  the  men  whom  God  has 
cursed ;  and  he  whom  God  shall  curse, 
shall  surely  find  no  helper.  Shall  they 
have  a  part  of  the  kingdom,  since  even 
then  they  would  not  bestow  the  smallest 
matter  on  men  ?  Do  they  envy  other  men 
that  which  God  of  his  bounty  has  given 
them  ?  We  formerly  gave  unto  the 
family  of  Abraham  a  book  of  revela- 
tions and  wisdom ;  and  we  gave  them  a 
great  kingdom.  There  are  among  them 
those  who  believe  on  him  ;  and  there  are 
among  them  those  who  turn  aside  from 
him ;  but  the  raging  fire  of  hell  is  a  sufii- 
cient  punishment.  Verily,  those  who  dis- 
believe our  signs,  we  will  surely  cast  to 
42 


be  broiled  in  hell  fire ;  as  often  as  their 
skins  shall  be  well  burned,  we  will  give 
them  other  skins  in  exchange,  that  they 
may  taste  the  sharper  torment ;  for  God 
is  mighty  and  wise. 

But  those  who  believe  and  do  that 
which  is  right,  we  will  bring  into  gar- 
dens watered  by  rivers ;  therein  shall  they 
remain  for  ever,  and  there  shall  they  en- 
joy wives  free  from  all  impurity ;  and  we 
will    lead    them    into  perpetual   shades. 

Moreover  God  commands  you  to 
restore  what  you  are  trusted  with,  to  the 
owners;  and  when  you  judge  between 
men,  that  you  judge  according  to  equity: 
and  surely  an  excellent  virtue  it  is  to 
which  God  exhorts  you ;  for  God  both 
hears  and  sees. 

O  true  believers,  obey  God,  and  obey 
the  apostle,  and  those  who  are  in  author- 
ity among  you :  and  if  you  differ  in  any- 
thing, refer  it  unto  God  and  the  apostle, 
if  you  believe  in  God  and  the  last  day  : 
this  is  better,  and  a  fairer  method  of 
determination. 


43 


OF  WAR 

O  true  believers,  take  your  necessary 
precaution  against  your  enemies,  and 
either  go  forth  to  war  in  separate 
parties,  or  go  forth  all  together  in  a 
body.  There  is  of  you  who  tarries 
behind;  and  if  a  misfortune  befall  you, 
he  says.  Verily  God  has  been  gracious 
unto  me,  that  I  was  not  present  with 
them :  but  if  success  attend  you  from 
God,  he  will  say  (as  if  there  was  no 
friendship  between  you  and  him). 
Would  to  God  I  had  been  with  them, 
for  I  should  have  acquired  great  merit. 
Let  them  therefore  fight  for  the  religion 
of  God,  who  part  with  the  present  life 
in  exchange  for  that  which  is  to  come ; 
for  whoever  fights  for  the  religion  of 
God,  whether  he  be  slain,  or  be  vic- 
torious, we  will  surely  give  him  a  great 
reward. 

And  what  ails  you,  that  you  fight  not 
for  God's  true  religion,  and  in  defence 
of  the  weak  among  men,  women,  and 
children,  who  say,  O  Lord,  bring  us 
forth  from  this  city,  whose  inhabitants 
44 


arc  wicked ;  grant  us  from  before  thee  a 
protector,  and  grant  us  from  thee  a 
defender.  They  who  believe  fight  for 
the  religion  of  God ;  but  they  who 
believe  not  fight  for  the  religion  of 
Taghut.  Fight  therefore  against  the 
friends  of  Satan,  for  the  stratagem  of 
Satan  is  weak. 

Hast  thou  not  observed  those  unto 
whom  it  was  said.  Withhold  your  hands 
from  war,  and  be  constant  at  prayers, 
and  pay  the  legal  alms  ?  But  when  war  is 
commanded  them,  behold,  a  part  of 
them  fear  men  as  they  should  fear  God, 
or  with  a  greater  fear,  and  say,  O  Lord, 
wherefore  hast  thou  commanded  us  to 
go  to  war,  and  hast  not  suffered  us  to 
wait  our  approaching  end  ? 

Say  unto  them.  The  provision  of  this 
life  is  but  small;  but  the  future  shall  be 
better  for  him  who  fears  God ;  and  you 
shall  not  be  in  the  least  injured  at  the  day 
of  judgment.  Wherever  you  be,  death 
will  overtake  you,  although  you  be  in 
lofty  towers.  If  good  befall  them,  they 
say.  This  is  from  God ;  but  if  evil  befall 
them,  they  say.  This  is  from  thee,  O 
45 


Mohammed :  say,  All  is  from  God  j  and 
what  ails  these  people,  that  they  are  so 
far  from  understanding  what  is  said  unto 
them  ? 

Whatever  good  befalls  thee,  O  man, 
it  is  from  God ;  and  whatever  evil 
befalls  thee,  it  is  from  thyself.  Fight 
therefore  for  the  religion  of  God,  and 
oblige  not  any  to  what  is  difficult, 
except  thyself;  however,  excite  the  faith- 
ful to  war,  perhaps  God  will  restrain 
the  courage  of  the  unbelievers ;  for  God 
is  stronger  than  they,  and  more  able  to 
punish. 

SALUTATION 

When  you  are  saluted  with  a  saluta- 
tion, salute  the  person  with  a  better  sal- 
utation, or  at  least  return  the  same ;  for 
God  takes  an  account  of  all  things. 

God  !  there  is  no  God  but  he ;  he  will 
surely  gather  you  together  on  the  day  of 
resurrection ;  there  is  no  doubt  of  it : 
and  who  is  more  true  than  God  in  what 
he  says  ?  Why  are  you  divided  con- 
cerning the  ungodly  into  two  parties; 
since   God    has    overturned    them    for 

46 


what  they  have  committed  ?  Will  you 
direct  him  whom  God  has  led  astray ; 
since  for  him  whom  God  shall  lead 
astray,  thou  shalt  find  no  true  path  ? 

They  desire  that  you  should  become 
infidels,  as  they  are  infidels,  and  that  you 
should  be  equally  wicked  with  them- 
selves. Therefore  take  not  friends  from 
among  them,  until  they  fly  their  country 
for  the  religion  of  God ;  and  if  they  turn 
back  from  the  faith,  take  them,  and  kill 
them  wherever  you  find  them ;  and  take 
no  friend  from  among  them,  nor  any 
helper,  except  those  who  go  unto  a 
people  who  are  in  alliance  with  you,  or 
those  who  come  unto  you,  their  hearts 
forbidding  them  either  to  fight  against 
you,  or  to  fight  against  their  own  people. 
And  if  God  pleased  he  would  have  per- 
mitted them  to  prevail  against  you, 
and  they  would  have  fought  against 
you.  But  if  they  depart  from  you,  and 
fight  not  against  you,  and  offer  you  peace, 
God  allow  not  you  to  take  or  kill 
them. 

You  shall  find  others  who  are  desirous 
to  enter  into  a  confidence  with  you,  and 
47 


at  the  same  time  to  preserve  a  confi- 
dence with  their  own  people :  as  often 
as  they  return  to  sedition,  they  shall  be 
subverted  therein;  and  if  they  depart 
not  from  you,  and  offer  you  peace,  and 
restrain  their  hands  from  warring  against 
you,  take  them  and  kill  them  wherever 
you  find  them ;  over  these  have  we 
granted  you  a  manifest  power. 

It  is  not  lawful  for  a  believer  to  kill 
a  believer,  unless  it  happen  by  mistake  ; 
and  whoever  kills  a  believer  by  mistake, 
the  penalty  shall  be  the  freeing  of  a  be- 
liever from  slavery,  and  a  fine  to  be  paid 
to  the  family  of  the  deceased,  unless  they 
remit  it  as  alms :  and  if  the  slain  person 
be  of  a  people  at  enmity  with  you,  and 
be  a  true  believer,  the  penalty  shall  be  the 
freeing  of  a  believer;  but  if  he  be  of  a 
people  in  confederacy  with  you,  a  fine 
to  be  paid  to  his  family,  and  the  freeing 
of  a  believer.  And  he  who  finds  not 
wherewith  to  do  this,  shall  fast  two 
months  consecutively,  as  a  penance 
enjoined  from  God ;  and  God  is  know- 
ing and  wise. 

But  whoever  kills  a  believer  design- 

48 


cdly,  his  reward  shall  be  hell ;  he  shall 
remain  therein  for  ever ;  and  God  shall 
be  angry  with  him,  and  shall  curse  him, 
and  shall  prepare  for  him  a  great  punish- 
ment. 

O  true  believers,  when  you  arc  on  a 
march  in  defence  of  the  true  religion, 
justly  discern  such  as  you  shall  happen 
to  meet,  and  say  not  unto  him  who 
salutes  you.  Thou  art  not  a  true 
believer ;  seeking  the  accidental  goods  of 
the  present  life ;  for  with  God  is  much 
spoil.  Such  have  you  formerly  been; 
but  God  has  been  gracious  unto  you; 
therefore  make  a  just  discernment,  for 
God  is  well  acquainted  with  that  which 
you  do. 


49 


''"V-^ 

^Ai 

|T 

r^ 

^['Jl!^ 

W^ 

■ 

i 

JUSTICE 


Dispute  not  for  those  who  deceive 
one  another,  for  God  loves  not  him  who 
is  a  deceiver  or  unjust.  Such  conceal 
themselves  from  men,  but  they  conceal 
not  themselves  from  God;  for  he  is 
with  them  when  they  imagine  by  night  a 
saying  which  pleases  him  not,  and  God 
comprehends  what  they  do.  Behold, 
you  are  they  who  have  disputed  for 
50 


them  in  this  present  life ;  but  who  shall 
dispute  with  God  for  them  on  the  day 
of  resurrection,  or  who  will  become 
their  patron  ?  yet  he  who  does  evil,  or 
injures  his  own  soul,  and  afterwards 
asks  pardon  of  God,  shall  find  God 
gracious  and  merciful.  Whoever  com- 
mits wickedness,  commits  it  against  his 
own  soul :  God  is  knowing  and  wise. 

And  whoever  commits  a  sin  or 
iniquity,  and  afterwards  lays  it  on  the 
innocent,  he  shall  surely  bear  the  guilt 
of  calumny  and  manifest  injustice.  If 
the  indulgence  and  mercy  of  God  had 
not  been  upon  thee,  surely  a  part  of 
them  had  studied  to  seduce  thee;  but 
they  shall  seduce  themselves  only,  and 
shall  not  hurt  thee  at  all.  Whoever 
does  evil,  shall  be  rewarded  for  it ;  and 
shall  not  find  any  patron  or  helper, 
beside  God ;  but  whoever  does  good 
works,  whether  he  be  male  or  female, 
and  is  a  true  believer,  shall  be  admitted 
into  paradise,  and  shall  not  in  the  least 
be  unjustly  dealt  with. 

Who  is  better  in  point  of  religion 
than  he  who  resigns  himself  unto  God, 
51 


and  is  a  worker  of  righteousness,  and 
follows  the  law  of  Abraham  the  ortho- 
dox ?  since  God  took  Abraham  for  his 
friend  :  and  to  God  belongs  whatever  is 
in  heaven  and  on  earth ;  God  compre- 
hends all  things.  Whoever  desires  the 
reward  of  this  world,  verily  with  God  is 
the  reward  of  this  world,  and  also  of  that 
which  is  to  come ;  God  both  hears  and 
sees.  O  true  believers,  observe  justice 
when  you  bear  witness  before  God, 
although  it  be  against  yourselves,  or  your 
parents,  or  relations ;  whether  the  party 
be  rich,  or  whether  he  be  poor ;  for  God 
is  more  worthy  than  them  both  :  therefore 
follow  not  your  own  lust  in  bearing  tes- 
timony, so  that  you  swerve  from  justice. 
And  whether  you  wrest  your  evidence,  or 
decline  giving  it,  God  is  well  acquainted 
with  that  which  you  do.  But  they  who 
repent  and  amend,  and  adhere  firmly 
unto  God,  and  approve  the  sincerity  of 
their  religion  to  God,  they  shall  be 
numbered  with  the  faithful ;  and  God 
will  surely  give  the  faithful  a  great 
reward. 


52 


CALUMNY 

God  loves  not  the  speaking  ill  of  any 
one  in  public,  unless  he  who  is  injured 
call  for  assistance;  and  God  hears  and 
knows:  whether  you  publish  a  good  ac- 
tion, or  conceal  it,  or  forgive  evil,  verily 
God  is  gracious  and  powerful.  They  who 
believe  not  in  God  and  his  apostles,  and 
would  make  a  distinction  between  God 
and  his  apostles,  and  say.  We  believe  in 
some  of  the  prophets,  and  reject  others 
of  them,  and  seek  to  take  a  middle  way 
in  this  matter ;  these  are  really  unbeliev- 
ers, and  we  have  prepared  for  the  unbe- 
lievers an  ignominious  punishment. 

But  they  who  believe  in  God  and  his 
apostles,  and  make  no  distinction  between 
any  of  them,  unto  those  will  we  surely 
give  their  reward;  and  God  is  gracious 
and  merciful. 

CHRIST 

Verily  those  who  believe  not,  and  act 

unjustly,  God  will  by  no  means  forgive, 

neither  will    he   direct   them    into    any 

other  way  than  the  way  of  hell;  they 

53 


shall  remain  therein  for  ever :  and  this  is 
easy  with  God. 

O  men,  now  is  the  apostle  come 
unto  you,  with  truth  from  your  Lord; 
believe  therefore,  it  will  be  better  for  you. 
But  if  you  disbelieve,  verily  unto  God 
belongs  whatever  is  in  heaven  and  on 
earth;  and  God  is  knowing  and  wise. 
O  you  who  have  received  the  scriptures, 
exceed  not  the  just  bounds  in  your 
religion,  neither  say  of  God  any  other 
than  the  truth.  Verily  Christ  Jesus  the 
son  of  Mary  is  the  apostle  of  God,  and 
his  Word,  which  he  conveyed  into  Mary, 
and  a  spirit  proceeding  from  him. 

Believe  therefore  in  God,  and  his 
apostles,  and  say  not.  There  are  three 
Gods ;  forbear  this ;  it  will  be  better  for 
you.  God  is  but  one  God.  Far  be  it 
from  him  that  he  should  have  a  son ! 
unto  him  belongs  whatever  is  in  heaven 
and  on  earth;  and  God  is  a  sufficient 
protector. 

Christ  does  not  proudly  disdain  to  be 

a  servant  unto  God ;  neither  the  angels 

who  approach  near  to  his  presence :  and 

whoever  disdains  his  service,  and  is  puffed 

54 


up  with  pride,  God  will  gather  them  all 
to  himself,  on  the  last  day.  Unto  those 
who  believe,  and  do  that  which  is  right, 
he  shall  give  their  rewards,  and  shall 
superabundantly  add  unto  them  of  his 
liberality  :  but  those  who  are  disdainful 
and  proud,  he  will  punish  with  a  grievous 
punishment ;  and  they  shall  not  find  any 
to  protect  or  to  help  them,  besides  God. 
O  men,  now  is  an  evident  proof  come 
unto  you  from  your  Lord,  and  we  have 
sent  down  unto  you  manifest  light. 
They  who  believe  in  God  and  firmly 
adhere  to  him,  he  will  lead  them  into 
mercy  from  him,  and  abundance;  and 
he  will  direct  them  in  the  right  way  to 
himself. 

FRIENDS 

O  true  believers,  take  not  the  Jews 
or  Christians  for  your  friends ;  they  are 
friends  the  one  to  the  other;  but  who- 
ever among  you  takes  them  for  his 
friends,  he  is  surely  one  of  them :  verily 
God  directs  not  unjust  people.  Thou 
shalt  see  those  in  whose  hearts  there  is 
an  infirmity,  to  hasten  unto  them  saying, 

55 


We  fear  lest  some  adversity  befall  usj 
but  it  is  easy  for  God  to  give  victory, 
or  a  command  from  him,  that  they  may 
repent  of  that  which  they  concealed  in 
their  minds. 

And  they  who  believe  will  say.  Are 
these  the  men  who  have  sworn  by  God, 
with  a  most  firm  oath,  that  they  surely 
held  with  you  ?  their  works  are  become 
vain,  and  they  are  of  those  who  perish. 
O  true  believers,  whoever  of  you  apos- 
tatizes from  his  religion,  God  will  cer- 
tainly bring  other  people  to  supply  his 
place,  whom  he  will  love,  and  who  will 
love  him ;  who  shall  be  humble  towards 
the  believers,  but  severe  to  the  unbeliev- 
ers; they  shall  fight  for  the  religion  of 
God,  and  shall  not  fear  the  obloquy  of 
the  detractor. 

This  is  the  bounty  of  God,  he 
bestows  it  on  whom  he  pleases :  God  is 
extensive  and  wise.  Verily  your  pro- 
tector is  God,  and  his  apostle,  and  those 
who  believe,  who  observe  the  stated 
times  of  prayer,  and  give  alms,  and  who 
bow  down  to  worship.  And  whoever 
takes  God,  and  his  apostle,  and  the 
56 


believers  for  his  friends,  they  arc  the 
party  of  God,  and  they  shall  be  victori- 
ous. 

O  true  believers,  take  not  such  of 
those  to  whom  the  scriptures  were 
delivered  before  you,  or  of  the  infidels, 
for  your  friends,  who  make  a  laughing- 
stock and  a  jest  of  your  religion;  but 
fear  God,  if  you  be  true  believers ;  nor 
those  who,  when  you  call  to  prayer, 
make  a  laughing-stock  and  a  jest  of  it ; 
this  they  do  because  they  are  people 
who  do  not  understand.  Say,  O  you 
who  have  received  the  scriptures,  do  you 
reject  us  for  any  other  reason  than 
because  we  believe  in  God,  and  that 
revelation  which  has  been  sent  down 
unto  us,  and  that  which  was  formerly 
sent  down,  and  for  that  the  greater  part 
of  you  are  transgressors  ? 

THE  CURSE  OF  GOD 

Say,  Shall   I   denounce    unto    you  a 

worse  thing  than  this,  as  to  the  reward 

which  you  are  to  expect  with  God  ?     He 

whom  God  has  cursed,  and  with  whom 

57 


he  has  been  angry,  having  changed 
some  of  them  into  apes  and  swine,  and 
who  worship  Taghut,  they  are  in  the 
worse  condition,  and  err  more  widely 
from  the  straightness  of  the  path.  When 
they  came  unto  you,  they  said.  We 
believe :  yet  they  entered  into  your 
company  with  infidelity,  and  went  forth 
from  you  with  the  same ;  but  God  well 
knew  what  they  concealed.  Thou  shalt 
see  many  of  them  hastening  unto  iniquity 
and  malice,  and  to  eat  things  forbidden ; 
and  woe  unto  them  for  what  they  have 
done.  Unless  their  doctors  and  priests 
forbid  them  uttering  wickedness,  and 
eating  things  forbidden ;  woe  unto  them 
for  what  they  shall  have  committed. 

The  Jews  say  the  hand  of  God  is  tied 
up.  Their  hands  shall  be  tied  up,  and 
they  shall  be  cursed  for  that  which  they 
have  said.  Nay,  his  hands  are  both 
stretched  forth ;  he  bestows  as  he  pleases  : 
that  which  has  been  sent  down  unto 
thee  from  thy  Lord,  shall  increase  the 
transgression  and  infidelity  of  many  of 
them ;  and  we  have  put  enmity  and 
hatred  between  them,  until  the  day  of 

58 


resurrection.  As  often  as  they  shall 
kindle  a  fire  for  war,  God  shall  extinguish 
it ;  and  they  shall  set  their  minds  to  act 
corruptly  in  the  earth,  but  God  loves 
not  corrupt  doers.  Moreover,  if  they 
who  have  received  the  scriptures  believe, 
and  fear  God,  we  will  surely  expiate 
their  sins  from  them,  and  we  will  lead 
them  into  gardens  of  pleasure ;  and  if 
they  observe  the  law,  and  the  gospel, 
and  the  other  scriptures  which  have  been 
sent  down  unto  them  from  their  Lord, 
they  shall  surely  eat  of  good  things 
both  from  above  them  and  from  under 
their  feet.  Among  them  there  are  people 
who  act  uprightly ;  but  how  evil  is  that 
which  many  of  them  do  work ! 


59 


PILGRIMAGE 


O  TRUE  believers,  kill  no  game  while 
you  are  on  pilgrimage ;  whoever  among 
you  shall  kill  any  designedly,  shall  restore 
the  like  of  what  you  shall  have  killed,  in 
domestic  animals,  according  to  the  deter- 
mination of  two  just  persons  among  you, 
to  be  brought  as  an  offering  to  the  Caaba  ; 
or  in  atonement  thereof  shall  feed  the 
poor ;  or  instead  thereof  shall  fast,  that 
60 


he  may  taste  the  heinousness  of  his 
deed. 

God  has  forgiven  what  is  past,  but 
whoever  returns  to  transgress,  God  will 
take  vengeance  on  him;  for  God  is 
mighty  and  able  to  avenge.  It  is  lawful 
for  you  to  fish  in  the  sea,  and  to  eat 
what  you  shall  catch,  as  a  provision  for 
you  and  for  those  who  travel ;  but  it  is 
unlawful  for  you  to  hunt  by  land,  while 
you  are  performing  the  rites  of  pilgrim- 
age; therefore  fear  God,  before  whom 
you  shall  be  assembled  at  the  last  day. 
God  has  appointed  the  Caaba,  the  holy 
house,  an  establishment  for  mankind ;  and 
has  ordained  the  sacred  month,  and  the 
offering,  and  the  ornaments  hung  thereon. 
This  has  he  done  that  you  might  know 
that  God  knows  whatever  is  in  heaven 
and  on  earth,  and  that  God  is  omniscient. 
Know  that  God  is  severe  in  punishing, 
and  that  God  is  also  ready  to  forgive  and 
merciful. 

The  duty  of  our  apostle  is  to  preach 
only;  and  God  knows  that  which  you 
discover,  and   that  which   you  conceal. 

Say,  Evil  and  good  shall  not  be  equally 
6i 


esteemed  of,  though  the  abundance  of 
evil  pleases  thee ;  therefore  fear  God,  O 
you  of  understanding,  that  you  may  be 
happy. 

O  true  believers,  inquire  not  concerning 
things  which,  if  they  be  declared  unto 
you,  may  give  you  pain ;  but  if  you  ask 
concerning  them  when  the  Koran  is  sent 
down,  they  will  be  declared  unto  you : 
God  pardons  you  as  to  these  matters; 
for  God  is  ready  to  forgive  and  gracious. 

god's  omniscience 

Praise  be  unto  God,  who  created  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  and  ordained  the 
darkness  and  the  light ;  nevertheless  they 
who  believe  not  in  the  Lord,  equalize 
other  gods  with  him.  It  is  he  who  created 
you  of  clay ;  and  then  decreed  the  term 
of  your  lives ;  and  the  prefixed  term  is 
with  him :  yet  do  we  doubt  thereof.  He 
is  God  in  heaven  and  in  earth ;  he  knows 
what  you  keep  secret,  and  what  you 
publish,  and  knows  what  you  deserve. 

There  came  not  unto  them  any  sign, 
of  the  signs  of  their  Lord,  but  they 
62 


retired  from  the  same;  and  they  have 
gainsaid  the  truth,  after  it  came  unto 
them :  but  a  message  shall  come  unto 
them,  concerning  that  which  they  have 
mocked  at. 

Do  they  not  consider  how  many  gen- 
erations we  have  destroyed  before  them  ? 
We  had  established  them  in  the  earth  in 
a  manner  wherein  we  have  not  established 
you ;  we  sent  the  heaven  to  rain  abun- 
dantly upon  them,  and  we  gave  them 
rivers  which  flowed  under  their  feet :  yet 
we  destroyed  them  in  their  sins,  and  raised 
up  other  generations  after  them. 

Although  we  had  caused  to  descend 
unto  thee  a  book  written  on  paper,  and 
they  had  handled  it  with  their  hands, 
the  unbelievers  had  surely  said.  This  is 
no  other  than  manifest  sorcery.  They 
said.  Unless  an  angel  be  sent  down  unto 
him,  we  will  not  believe.  But  if  we  had 
sent  down  an  angel,  verily  the  matter 
had  been  decreed,  and  they  should  not 
have  been  borne  with,  by  having  time 
granted  them  to  repent.  And  if  we  had 
appointed  an  angel  for  our  messenger,  we 
should  have  sent  him  in  the  form  of  a  man, 

63 


and  have  clothed  him  before  them,  as  they 
are  clothed.  Other  apostles  have  been 
laughed  to  scorn  before  thee;  but  the 
judgment  which  they  made  a  jest  of, 
encompassed  those  who  laugh  them  to 
scorn. 

Say,  Go  through  the  earth,  and  behold 
what  has  been  the  end  of  those  who  ac- 
cused our  prophets  of  imposture. 

Say,  Unto  whom  belongs  whatever  is  in 
heaven  and  earth  ? 

Say,  Unto  God.  He  has  prescribed 
unto  himself  mercy.  He  will  surely  gather 
you  together  on  the  day  of  resurrection ; 
there  is  no  doubt  of  it. 

They  who  destroy  their  own  souls  are 
those  who  will  not  believe.  Unto  him 
is  owing  whatever  happens  by  night  or 
by  day ;  it  is  he  who  hears  and  knows. 

Say,  Shall  I  take  any  other  protector 
than  God,  the  creator  of  heaven  and 
earth,  who  feeds  all  and  is  not  fed 
by  any  ? 

Say,  Verily  I  am  commanded  to  be  the 
first  who  professes  Islam,  and  it  was 
said  unto  me.  Thou  shalt  by  no  means 
be  one  of  the  idolaters. 

64 


Say,  Verily  I  fear,  if  I  should  rebel 
against  my  Lord,  the  punishment  of  the 
great  day :  from  whomever  it  shall  be 
averted  on  that  day,  God  will  have  been 
merciful  unto  him ;  this  will  be  manifest 
salvation.  If  God  afflict  thee  with  any 
hurt,  there  is  none  who  can  take  it  ofF 
from  thee,  except  himself;  but  if  he 
cause  good  to  befall  thee,  he  is  almighty ; 
he  is  the  supreme  Lord  over  his  servants ; 
and  he  is  wise  and  knowing. 

UNBELIEVERS 

Who  is  more  unjust  than  he  who 
invents  a  lie  against  God,  or  charges  his 
signs  with  imposture  ?  Surely  the  unjust 
shall  not  prosper.  And  on  the  day  of 
resurrection  we  will  assemble  them  all; 
then  will  we  say  unto  those  who  asso- 
ciated others  with  God,  Where  are  your 
companions,  whom  you  imagined  to  be 
those  of  God  ?  But  they  shall  have  no 
other  excuse,  than  that  they  shall  say. 
By  God  our  Lord,  we  have  not  been 
idolaters.  Behold,  how  they  lie  against 
themselves,  and  what  they  have  blasphe- 
6s 


mously  imagined  to  be  the  companion  of 
God  flies  from  them.  There  is  of  them 
who  harkens  unto  thee  when  thou  readest 
the  Koran ;  but  we  have  cast  veils  over 
their  hearts,  that  they  should  not  under- 
stand it,  and  a  deafness  in  their  ears : 
and  though  they  should  see  all  kinds  of 
signs,  they  will  not  believe  therein ;  and 
their  infidelity  will  arrive  to  that  height 
that  they  will  even  come  unto  thee,  to 
dispute  with  thee.  The  unbelievers  will 
say.  This  is  nothing  but  silly  fables  of 
ancient  times.  And  they  will  forbid 
others  from  believing  therein,  and  will 
retire  afar  off  from  it ;  but  they  will 
destroy  their  own  souls  only,  and  they 
are  not  sensible  thereof. 

If  thou  didst  see,  when  they  shall  be 
set  over  the  fire  of  hell !  and  they  shall 
say.  Would  to  God  we  might  be  sent 
back  into  the  world ;  we  would  not 
charge  the  signs  of  our  Lord  with  impos- 
ture, and  we  would  become  true  believers : 
nay,  but  that  is  become  manifest  unto 
them,  which  they  formerly  concealed; 
and  though  they  should  be  sent  back  into 
the  world,  they  would  surely  return  to  that 
66 


which  was  forbidden  them  ;  and  they  arc 
surely  liars. 

And  they  said,  There  is  no  other  life 
than  our  present  life ;  neither  shall  we  be 
raised  again. 

But  if  thou  couldst  see,  when  they  shall 
be  set  before  their  Lord  ! 

He  shall  say  unto  them.  Is  not  this  in 
truth  come  to  pass  ? 

They  shall  answer,  Yea,  by  our  Lord. 

God  shall  say.  Taste  therefore  the 
punishment  due  unto  you,  for  that  you 
have  disbelieved.  They  are  lost  who 
reject  as  falsehood  the  meeting  of  God 
in  the  next  life,  until  the  hour  comes 
suddenly  upon  them.  Then  will  they 
say,  Alas !  for  that  we  have  behaved 
ourselves  negligently  in  our  lifetime  j  and 
they  shall  carry  their  burdens  on  their 
backs  ;  will  it  not  be  evil  which  they  shall 
be  laden  with  ? 

This  present  life  is  no  other  than  a 
play  and  a  vain  amusement ;  but  surely 
the  future  mansion  shall  be  better  for 
those  who  fear  God  ;  will  they  not  there- 
fore understand  ? 


67 


FALSEHOOD 

Now  we  know  that  what  they  speak 
grieves  thee :  yet  they  do  not  accuse 
thee  of  falsehood ;  but  the  ungodly  con- 
tradict the  signs  of  God.  And  apostles 
before  thee  have  been  accounted  liars : 
but  they  patiently  bore  their  being  ac- 
counted liars,  and  their  being  vexed,  until 
our  help  came  unto  them;  for  there  is 
none  who  can  change  the  words  of  God  : 
and  thou  hast  received  some  information 
concerning  those  who  have  been  for- 
merly sent  from  him. 

If  their  aversion  to  thy  admonitions 
be  grievous  unto  thee,  if  thou  canst  seek 
out  a  den  whereby  thou  mayest  penetrate 
into  the  inward  parts  of  the  earth,  or  a 
ladder  by  which  thou  mayest  ascend  into 
heaven,  that  thou  mayest  show  them  a 
sign,  do  so,  but  thy  search  will  be  fruit- 
less J  for  if  God  pleased  he  would  bring 
them  all  to  the  true  direction  :  be  not 
therefore  one  of  the  ignorant.  He  will 
give  a  favourable  answer  unto  those  only 
who  shall  hearken  with  attention :  and 
68 


God  will  raise  the  dead  -,  then  unto  him 
shall  they  return. 

The  infidels  say,  Unless  some  sign  be 
sent  down  unto  him  from  his  Lord,  we 
will  not  believe:  answer,  Verily  God  is 
able  to  send  down  a  sign  :  but  the  greater 
part  of  them  know  it  not.  There  is  no 
kind  of  beast  on  earth,  nor  fowl  which 
flies  with  its  wings,  but  the  same  is  a 
people  like  unto  you;  we  have  not 
omitted  anything  in  the  book  of  our 
decrees :  then  unto  their  Lord  shall  they 
return.  They  who  accuse  our  signs  of 
falsehood,  are  deaf  and  dumb,  walking 
in  darkness :  God  will  lead  into  error 
whom  he  pleases,  and  whom  he  pleases 
he  will  put  in  the  right  way. 

Say,  What  think  you  ?  if  the  punish- 
ment of  God  come  upon  you,  or  the 
hour  of  the  resurrection  come  upon  you, 
will  you  call  upon  any  other  than  God, 
if  you  speak  truth  ?  yea,  him  shall  you 
call  upon,  and  he  shall  free  you  from 
that  which  you  shall  ask  him  to  deliver 
you  from,  if  he  pleases ;  and  you  shall 
forget  other  Gods. 

We    have    already    sent    messengers 

69 


unto  sundry  nations  before  thee,  and  we 
afflicted  them  with  trouble  and  adversity 
that  they  might  humble  themselves :  yet 
when  the  affliction  which  we  sent  came 
upon  them,  they  did  not  humble  them- 
selves :  but  their  hearts  became  hardened, 
and  Satan  prepared  for  them  that  which 
they  committed.  And  when  they  had 
forgotten  that  concerning  which  they 
had  been  admonished,  we  opened  unto 
them  the  gates  of  all  things  ;  until,  while 
they  were  rejoicing  for  that  which  had 
been  given  them,  we  suddenly  laid  hold 
on  them,  and  behold,  they  were  seized 
with  despair;  and  the  utmost  part  of 
the  people  which  had  acted  wickedly, 
was  cut  ofF :  praise  be  unto  God,  the 
Lord  of  all  creatures  ! 

Say,  what  think  you  ?  if  God  should 
take  away  your  hearing  and  your  sight, 
and  should  seal  up  your  hearts ;  what 
god  besides  God  will  restore  them  unto 
you  ? 


70 


GOD'S   MESSENGERS 

See  how  variously  we  show  forth  the 
signs  of  God's  unity ;  yet  do  they  turn 
aside  from  them.  Say  unto  them,  What 
think  you  ?  if  the  punishment  of  God 
come  upon  you  suddenly,  or  in  open 
view;  will  any  perish,  except  the  un- 
godly people  ?  We  send  not  our  mes- 
sengers otherwise  than  bearing  good 
tidings  and  denouncing  threats. 
71 


Whoever  therefore  shall  believe  and 
amend,  on  them  shall  no  fear  come, 
neither  shall  they  be  grieved :  but  who- 
ever shall  accuse  our  signs  of  falsehood, 
a  punishment  shall  fall  on  them,  because 
they  have  done  wickedly. 

Say,  I  say  not  unto  you.  The  treasures 
of  God  are  in  my  power :  neither  do  I 
say,  I  know  the  secrets  of  God  :  neither 
do  I  say  unto  you.  Verily  I  am  an  angel : 
I  follow  only  that  which  is  revealed  unto 
me.  Say,  shall  the  blind  and  the  see- 
ing be  held  equal  ?  do  you  not  therefore 
consider  ?  Preach  it  unto  those  who  fear 
that  they  shall  be  assembled  before  their 
Lord :  they  shall  have  no  patron  or 
intercessor,  except  him ;  that  peradven- 
ture  they  may  take  heed  to  themselves. 

Drive  not  away  those  who  call  upon 
their  Lord  morning  and  evening,  desiring 
to  see  his  face ;  it  belongs  not  unto  thee 
to  pass  any  judgment  on  them,  nor  does 
it  belong  unto  them  to  pass  any  judgment 
on  thee :  therefore  if  thou  drive  them 
away,  thou  wilt  become  one  of  the  un- 
just. Thus  have  we  proved  some  part 
of  them  by  other  part,  that  they  may  say, 
72 


Are  these  the  people  among  us  unto 
whom  God  has  been  gracious  ?  Does 
not  God  most  truly  know  those  who  are 
thankful  ? 

And  when  they  who  believe  in  our 
signs  shall  come  unto  thee,  say,  Peace 
be  upon  you.  Your  Lord  has  prescribed 
unto  himself  mercy  ;  so  that  whoever 
among  you  works  evil  through  ignorance, 
and  afterwards  repents  and  amends,  unto 
him  will  he  surely  be  gracious  and  mer- 
ciful. 

Thus  have  we  distinctly  propounded 
our  signs,  that  the  path  of  the  wicked 
might  be  made  known. 

Say,  Verily  I  am  forbidden  to  worship 
the  false  deities  which  you  invoke,  besides 
God.  Say,  I  will  not  follow  your  desires  ; 
for  then  should  I  err,  neither  should  I 
be  one  of  those  who  are  rightly  directed. 
Say,  I  behave  according  to  the  plain  de- 
claration which  I  have  received  from  my 
Lord ;  but  you  have  forged  lies  concern- 
ing him. 


73 


god's  time 

That  what  you  desire  should  be  has- 
tened, is  not  in  my  power :  judgment 
belongs  only  unto  God  ;  he  will  deter- 
mine the  truth ;  and  he  is  the  best  dis- 
cerner.  Say,  if  what  you  desire  should 
be  hastened  were  in  my  power,  the  matter 
had  been  determined  between  me  and 
you :  but  God  well  knows  the  unjust. 
With  him  are  the  keys  of  the  secret 
things;  none  knows  them  besides  him- 
self: he  knows  that  which  is  on  the  dry 
land  and  in  the  sea ;  there  falls  no  leaf, 
but  he  knows  it ;  neither  is  there  a  single 
grain  in  the  dark  parts  of  the  earth,  neither 
a  green  thing,  nor  a  dry  thing,  but  it 
is  written  in  the  perspicuous  book.  It  is 
he  who  causes  you  to  sleep  by  night, 
and  knows  what  you  merit  by  day;  he 
also  awakes  you  therein,  that  the  prefixed 
term  of  your  lives  may  be  fulfilled  ;  then 
unto  him  shall  you  return,  and  he  shall 
declare  unto  you  that  which  you  have 
wrought.  He  is  supreme  over  his  servants, 
and  sends  the  guardian  angel  to  watch 
over  you,  until,  when  death  overtakes 
74 


one  of  you,  our  messengers  cause  him 
to  die;  and  they  will  not  neglect 
our  commands.  Afterwards  shall  they 
return  unto  God,  their  true  Lord : 
does  not  judgment  belong  unto  him  ? 
he  is  the  most  quick  in  taking  an  ac- 
count. 

Say,  who  delivers  you  from  the  dark- 
ness of  the  land,  and  of  the  sea,  when 
you  call  upon  him  humbly  and  in  private, 
saying.  Verily  if  thou  deliver  us  from 
these  dangers,  we  will  surely  be  thankful  ? 
Say,  God  delivers  you  from  them,  and 
from  every  grief  of  mind  ;  yet  afterwards 
you  return  to  your  idolatries.  Say,  He 
is  able  to  send  on  you  a  punishment  from 
above  you,  or  from  under  your  feet,  or 
to  engage  you  in  dissension,  and  to 
make  some  of  you  taste  the  violence  of 
others. 

Observe  how  variously  we  show  forth 
our  signs,  that  peradventure  they  may 
understand.  This  people  has  accused 
of  falsehood,  the  revelation  which  thou 
hast  brought,  although  it  be  the  truth. 

Say,  I  am  not  a  guardian  over  you : 
every  prophecy  has  its  fixed  time  of  ac- 
75 


complishment ;    and  you   will   hereafter 
know  it. 


THE  TRUE  DIRECTION 

Abandon  those  who  make  their  religion 
a  sport  and  a  jest ;  and  whom  the  present 
life  has  deceived ;  and  admonish  them 
by  the  Koran,  that  a  soul  becomes  liable 
to  destruction  for  that  which  it  commits  : 
it  shall  have  no  patron  or  intercessor 
besides  God;  and  if  it  could  pay  the 
utmost  price  of  redemption,  it  would  not 
be  accepted  from  it.  They  who  are  de- 
livered over  to  perdition  for  that  which 
they  have  committed,  shall  have  boiling 
water  to  drink,  and  shall  suffer  a  grievous 
punishment,  because  they  have  disbe- 
lieved. 

Say,  Shall  we  call  upon  that,  besides 
God,  which  can  neither  profit  us  nor 
hurt  us  ?  and  shall  we  turn  back  on  our 
heels,  after  that  God  has  directed  us; 
like  him  whom  the  devils  have  infatuated, 
wandering  amazedly  in  the  earth,  and 
yet  having  companions  who  call  him  to 
the  true  direction,  saying.  Come  unto  us  ? 

16 


Say,  The  direction  of  God  is  the  true 
direction ;  we  are  commanded  to  resign 
ourselves  unto  the  Lord  of  all  creatures  ; 
and  it  is  also  commanded  us,  saying. 
Observe  the  stated  times  of  prayer,  and 
fear  him ;  for  it  is  he  before  whom  you 
shall  be  assembled.  It  is  he  who  has 
created  the  heavens  and  the  earth  in  truth ; 
and  whenever  he  says  unto  a  thing.  Be, 
it  is. 

His  word  is  the  truth ;  and  his  will 
be  the  kingdom  on  the  day  whereon  the 
trumpet  shall  be  sounded :  he  knows 
whatever  is  secret,  and  whatever  is  public : 
he  is  the  wise,  the  knowing. 

THE  EXAMPLE  OF  ABRAHAM 

Call  to  mind  when  Abraham  said 
unto  his  father  Azer,  Dost  thou  take 
images  for  gods  ?  Verily  I  perceive  that 
thou  and  thy  people  are  in  a  manifest 
error.  And  thus  did  we  show  unto 
Abraham  the  kingdom  of  heaven  and 
earth,  that  he  might  become  one  of  those 
who  firmly  believe.  And  when  the  night 
overshadowed  him,  he  saw  a  star,  and  he 
77 


said,  This  is  my  Lord ;  but  when  it  set, 
he  said,  I  like  not  gods  which  set.  And 
when  he  saw  the  moon  rising,  he  said, 
This  is  my  Lord;  but  when  he  saw  it 
set,  he  said.  Verily  if  my  Lord  direct  me 
not,  I  shall  become  one  of  the  people 
who  go  astray.  And  when  he  saw  the 
sun  rising,  he  said.  This  is  my  Lord, 
this  is  the  greatest ;  but  when  it  set,  he 
said,  O  my  people,  verily  I  am  clear  of 
that  which  you  associate  with  God :  I 
direct  my  face  unto  him  who  created  the 
heavens  and  the  earth;  I  2m  orthodox, 
and  am  not  one  of  the  idolaters. 

And  his  people  disputed  with  him : 
and  he  said.  Will  you  dispute  with  me 
concerning  God  ?  since  he  has  now 
directed  me,  and  I  fear  not  that  which 
you  associate  with  him,  unless  that  my 
Lord  will  a  thing;  for  my  Lord  com- 
prehends all  things  by  his  knowledge  :  will 
you  not  therefore  consider  ?  And  how 
should  I  fear  that  which  you  associate 
with  God,  since  you  fear  not  to  have 
associated  with  God  that  concerning 
which  he  has  sent  down  unto  you  no 
authority  ?  which  therefore  of  the  two 

78 


parties  is  the  more  safe,  if  you  under- 
stand aright  ? 

They  who  believe  and  clothe  not  their 
faith  with  injustice,  they  shall  enjoy 
security,  and  they  are  rightly  directed. 
And  this  is  our  argument  wherewith  we 
furnished  Abraham  against  his  people : 
we  exalt  unto  degrees  of  wisdom  and 
knowledge  whom  we  please ;  for  thy 
Lord  is  wise  and  knowing.  And  we  gave 
unto  him  Isaac  and  Jacob;  we  directed 
them  both :  and  Noah  had  we  before 
directed,  and  of  his  posterity  David  and 
Solomon;  and  Job,  and  Joseph,  and 
Moses,  and  Aaron  :  thus  do  we  reward  the 
righteous  :  and  Zacharias,  and  John,  and 
Jesus,  and  Elias ;  all  of  them  were  up- 
right men :  and  Ismael,  and  Elisha,  and 
Jonas,  and  Lot ;  all  these  have  we  fa- 
voured above  the  rest  of  the  world  ;  and 
also  divers  of  their  fathers,  and  their  issue, 
and  their  brethren ;  and  we  chose  them, 
and  directed  them  into  the  right  way. 

This  is  the  direction  of  God,  he  directs 

thereby  such  of  his  servants  as  he  pleases ; 

but  if  they  had  been  guilty  of  idolatry, 

that  which   they  wrought  would    have 

79 


become  utterly  fruitless  unto  them. 
Those  were  the  persons  unto  whom  we 
gave  the  scripture,  and  wisdom,  and 
prophecy ;  but  if  these  believe  not  therein, 
we  will  commit  the  care  of  them  to  a 
people  who  shall  not  disbelieve  the  same. 
Those  were  the  persons  whom  God 
directed,  therefore  follow  their  direction. 

THE  KORAN 

Say  unto  the  inhabitants  of  Mecca,  I 
ask  of  you  no  recompense  for  preaching 
the  Koran ;  it  is  no  other  than  an  admo- 
nition unto  all  creatures.  They  make 
not  a  due  estimation  of  God,  when  they 
say,  God  has  not  sent  down  unto  man 
anything  at  all :  Say,  Who  sent  down 
the  book  which  Moses  brought,  a  light 
and  a  direction  unto  men ;  which  you 
transcribe  on  papers,  whereof  you  publish 
some  part,  and  great  part  whereof  you 
conceal  ?  and  you  have  been  taught  by 
Mohammed  what  you  knew  not,  neither 
your  fathers.  Say,  God  sent  it  down : 
then  leave  them  to  amuse  themselves 
with  their  vain  discourse. 
80 


This  book  which  we  have  sent  down 
is  blessed;  confirming  that  which  was 
revealed  before  it ;  and  is  delivered  unto 
thee  that  thou  mayest  preach  it  unto  the 
metropolis  of  Mecca  and  to  those  who 
are  round  about  it. 

And  they  who  believe  in  the  next  life 
will  believe  therein,  and  they  will  dili- 
gently observe  their  times  of  prayer. 
Who  is  more  wicked  than  he  who 
forges  a  lie  concerning  God  ?  or  says, 
This  was  revealed  unto  me,  when  noth- 
ing has  been  revealed  unto  him  ?  and 
who  says,  I  will  produce  a  revelation 
like  unto  that  which  God  has  sent  down  ? 
If  thou  didst  see  when  the  ungodly  are 
in  the  pangs  of  death,  and  the  angels 
reach  out  their  hands,  saying.  Cast  forth 
your  souls ;  this  day  shall  you  receive 
an  ignominious  punishment  for  that 
which  you  have  falsely  spoken  concern- 
ing God ;  and  because  you  have  proudly 
rejected  his  signs !  And  now  are  you 
come  unto  us  alone,  as  we  created  you 
at  first,  and  you  have  left  that  which  we 
had  bestowed  on  you,  behind  your  backs  ; 
neither  do  we  see  with  you  your  inter- 
8l 


cessors,  whom  you  thought  to  have  been 
partners  with  God  among  you :  now  is 
the  relation  between  you  cut  off,  and 
what  you  imagined  has  deceived  you. 


82 


GOD 

God  causes  the  grain  and  the  date- 
stone  to  put  forth :  he  brings  forth  the 
living  from  the  dead,  and  he  brings  forth 
the  dead  from  the  living.     This  is  God. 

Why  therefore  are  you  turned  away 
from  him  ?  He  causes  the  morning  to 
appear;  and  has  ordained  the  night  for 
rest,  and  the  sun  and  the  moon  for  the 
computing  of  time.     This  is  the  dispo- 

83 


sition  of  the  mighty,  the  wise  God.  He 
has  ordained  the  stars  for  you,  that  you 
may  be  directed  thereby  in  the  darkness 
of  the  land  and  of  the  sea. 

We  have  clearly  shown  forth  our  signs, 
unto  people  who  understand.  It  is  he 
who  has  produced  you  from  one  soul ;  and 
has  provided  for  you  a  sure  receptacle  and 
a  repository.  We  have  clearly  shown 
forth  our  signs,  unto  people  who  are  wise. 
It  is  he  who  sends  down  water  from 
heaven,  and  we  have  thereby  produced 
the  springing  buds  of  all  things,  and  have 
thereout  produced  the  green  thing,  from 
which  we  produce  the  grain  growing 
in  rows,  and  palm-trees  from  whose 
branches  proceed  clusters  of  dates  hang- 
ing close  together;  and  gardens  of 
grapes,  and  olives,  and  pomegranates, 
both  like  and  unlike  to  one  another. 

Look  on  their  fruits,  when  they  bear 
fruit,  and  their  growing  to  maturity. 
Truly  herein  are  signs,  unto  people  who 
believe. 

Yet  they  have  set  up  the  genii  as 
partners  with  God,  although  he  created 
them :  and  they  have  falsely  attributed 
84 


unto  him  sons  and  daughters,  without 
knowledge.  Praise  be  unto  him;  and 
far  be  that  from  him  which  they  attribute 
unto  him !  He  is  the  maker  of  heaven 
and  earth :  how  should  he  have  issue, 
since  he  has  no  consort  ?  he  has  created 
all  things,  and  he  is  omniscient.  This  is 
God  your  Lord;  there  is  no  God  but 
he,  the  creator  of  all  things  :  therefore 
serve  him;  for  he  takes  care  of  all 
things.  The  sight  comprehends  him 
not,  but  he  comprehends  the  sight ;  he  is 
the  gracious,  the  wise. 

IDOLATRY 

Now  have  evident  demonstrations 
come  unto  you  from  your  Lord;  who- 
ever sees  them,  the  advantage  thereof 
will  redound  to  his  own  soul :  and  who- 
ever is  wilfully  blind,  the  consequence 
will  be  to  himself.  I  am  not  a  keeper 
over  you.  Thus  do  we  variously  explain 
our  signs ;  that  they  may  say.  Thou  hast 
studied  diligently;  and  that  we  may 
declare  them  unto  people  of  understand- 
ing. Follow  that  which  has  been  re- 
8s 


vcaled  unto  thee  from  thy  Lord;  there 
is  no  God  but  he  :  retire  therefore  from 
the  idolaters.  If  God  had  so  pleased, 
they  had  not  been  guilty  of  idolatry. 
We  have  not  appointed  thee  a  keeper 
over  them  ;  neither  art  thou  a  guardian 
over  them.  Revile  not  the  idols  which 
they  invoke  besides  God,  lest  they  ma- 
liciously revile  God  without  knowledge. 
Thus  have  we  prepared  for  every 
nation  their  works :  hereafter  unto  God 
shall  they  return,  and  he  shall  declare 
unto  them  that  which  they  have 
done.  They  have  sworn  by  God,  by 
the  most  solemn  oath,  that  if  a  sign  came 
unto  them,  they  would  certainly  believe 
therein :  Say,  Verily  signs  are  in  the 
power  of  God  alone;  and  he  permits 
you  not  to  understand  that  when  they 
come,  they  will  not  believe.  And  we 
will  turn  aside  their  hearts  and  their 
sight  from  the  truth,  as  they  believed  not 
therein  the  first  time ;  and  we  will  leave 
them  to  wander  in  their  error.  And 
though  we  had  sent  down  angels  unto 
them,  and  the  dead  had  spoken  unto  them, 
and  we  had  gathered  together  before 
86 


them  all  things  in  one  view  j  they  would 
not  have  believed,  unless  God  had  so 
pleased :  but  the  greater  part  of  them 
know  it  not. 

Thus  have  we  appointed  unto  every 
prophet  an  enemy ;  the  devils  of  men, 
and  of  genii :  who  privately  suggest  the 
one  to  the  other  specious  discourses  to 
deceive  j  but  if  thy  Lord  pleased,  they 
would  not  have  done  it.  Therefore 
leave  them,  and  that  which  they  have 
falsely  imagined ;  and  let  the  hearts  of 
those  be  inclined  thereto,  who  believe 
not  in  the  life  to  come;  and  let  them 
please  themselves  therein,  and  let  them 
gain  that  which  they  are  gaining. 

Shall  I  seek  after  any  other  judge 
besides  God  to  judge  between  us  ?  It 
is  he  who  has  sent  down  unto  you  the 
book  of  the  Koran,  distinguishing  be- 
tween good  and  evil ;  and  they  to  whom 
we  gave  the  scripture  know  that  it  is 
sent  down  from  thy  Lord,  with  truth. 
Be  not  therefore  one  of  those  who  doubt 
thereof. 


87 


THE    WORD    OF    GOD 

The  words  of  thy  Lord  arc  perfect 
in  truth  and  justice  ;  there  is  none  who 
can  change  his  words :  he  both  hears 
and  knows.  But  if  thou  obey  the 
greater  part  of  them  who  are  in  the  earth, 
they  will  lead  thee  aside  from  the  path 
of  God :  they  follow  an  uncertain 
opinion  only,  and  speak  nothing  but  lies  ; 
verily  thy  Lord  well  knows  those  who 
go  astray  from  his  path,  and  well  knows 
those  who  are  rightly  directed. 

SIGNS 

Shall  he  who  has  been  dead,  and 
whom  we  have  restored  unto  life,  and 
unto  whom  we  have  ordained  a  light, 
whereby  he  may  walk  among  men,  be  as 
he  whose  similitude  is  in  darkness,  from 
whence  he  shall  not  come  forth  ?  Thus 
was  that  which  the  infidels  are  doing, 
prepared  for  them.  And  thus  have  we 
placed  in  every  city  chief  leaders  of  the 
wicked  men  thereof,  that  they  may 
act  deceitfully  therein  ;  but  they  shall  act 
88 


deceitfully  against  their  own  souls  only ; 
and  they  know  it  not.  And  when  a 
sign  comes  unto  them,  they  say.  We 
will  by  no  means  believe  until  a  revela- 
tion be  brought  unto  us,  like  unto  that 
which  hath  been  delivered  unto  the 
messengers  of  God.  God  best  knows 
whom  he  will  appoint  for  his  messen- 
ger. 

Vileness  in  the  sight  of  God  shall  fall 
upon  those  who  deal  wickedly,  and  a 
grievous  punishment,  because  they  have 
dealt  deceitfully.  And  whomever  God 
shall  please  to  direct,  he  will  open  his 
breast  to  receive  the  faith  of  Islam :  but 
whoever  he  shall  please  to  lead  into 
error,  he  will  render  his  breast  straight 
and  narrow,  as  if  he  were  climbing  up 
to  heaven. 

Thus  God  inflicts  a  terrible  punish- 
ment on  those  who  believe  not.  This 
is  the  right  way  of  thy  Lord. 

Now  have  we  plainly  declared  our 
signs  unto  those  people  who  will  con- 
sider. They  shall  have  a  dwelling  of 
peace  with  their  Lord,  and  he  shall  be 
their  patron,  because  of  that  which  they 

89 


have  wrought.  Think  on  the  day 
whereon  God  shall  gather  them  all 
together,  and  shall  say,  O  company  of 
genii,  you  have  been  much  concerned 
with  mankind;  and  their  friends  from 
among  mankind  shall  say,  O  Lord,  the 
one  of  us  has  received  advantage  from 
the  other,  and  we  are  arrived  at  our 
limited  term  which  thou  hast  appointed 
us. 

God  will  say.  Hell  fire  shall  be  your 
habitation,  therein  shall  you  remain  for 
ever;  unless  as  God  shall  please  to 
mitigate  your  pains,  for  the  Lord  is  wise 
and  knowing. 

Thus  do  we  set  some  of  the  unjust 
over  others  of  them,  because  of  that 
which  they  have  deserved.  O  company 
of  genii  and  man,  did  not  messengers 
from  among  yourselves  come  unto  you, 
rehearsing  my  signs  unto  you,  and  fore- 
warning you  of  the  meeting  of  this  your 
day  ? 

They  shall  answer.  We  bear  witness 
against  ourselves :  the  present  life  de- 
ceived them  :  and  they  shall  bear  witness 
against  themselves  that  they  were  unbc- 
90 


lievers.  Every  one  shall  have  degrees  of 
recompense  of  that  which  they  shall  do ; 
for  thy  Lord  is  not  regardless  of  that 
which  they  do,  and  thy  Lord  is  self- 
sufficient  and  endued  with  mercy.  If  it 
please  him  he  can  destroy  you,  and 
cause  such  as  it  pleases  him  to  succeed 
you,  in  like  manner  as  he  produced  you 
from  the  posterity  of  other  people. 

Verily  that  which  is  threatened  you 
shall  surely  come  to  pass ;  neither  shall 
you  cause  it  to  fail. 

FOOD 

Say,  I  find  not  in  that  which  has 
been  revealed  unto  me,  anything  forbid- 
den unto  the  eater,  that  he  eat  it  not, 
except  it  be  that  which  dies  of  itself,  or 
blood  poured  forth,  or  swine's  flesh  :  for 
this  is  an  abomination  :  or  that  which  is 
profane,  having  been  slain  in  the  name 
of  some  other  than  of  God.  But  who- 
ever shall  be  compelled  by  necessity  to 
eat  of  these  things,  not  lusting  or  wil- 
fully transgressing,  verily  thy  Lord  will 
be  gracious  unto  him  and  merciful. 

91 


Unto  the  Jews  did  we  forbid  every 
beast  having  an  undivided  hoof;  and  of 
bullocks  and  sheep,  we  forbade  them  the 
fat  of  both;  except  that  which  should 
be  on  their  backs,  or  their  inwards,  or 
which  should  be  intermixed  with  the 
bone.  This  have  we  rewarded  them 
with,  because  of  their  iniquity ;  and  we 
are  surely  speakers  of  truth. 

If  they  accuse  thee  of  imposture,  say, 
Your  Lord  is  endued  with  extensive 
mercy;  but  his  severity  shall  not  be 
averted  from  wicked  people.  The  idola- 
ters will  say.  If  God  had  pleased,  we 
had  not  been  guilty  of  idolatry,  neither 
our  fathers;  and  pretend  that  we  have 
not  forbidden  them  anything.  Thus  did 
they  who  were  before  them  accuse  the 
prophets  of  imposture,  until  they  tasted 
our  severe  punishment. 

PROHIBITIONS 

Say,  Come ;  I  will  rehearse  that  which 

your  Lord  has  forbidden  you ;  that  you 

be  not  guilty  of  idolatry,  and  that  you 

show  kindness  to  your  parents,  and  that 

92 


you  murder  not  your  children  for  fear 
lest  you  be  reduced  to  poverty  :  we  will 
provide  for  you  and  them  ;  and  draw  not 
near  unto  heinous  crimes,  either  openly 
or  in  secret ;  and  slay  not  the  soul  which 
God  has  forbidden  you  to  slay,  unless 
for  a  just  cause. 

This  has  he  enjoined  you  that  you 
may  understand.  And  meddle  not  with 
the  substance  of  the  orphan,  otherwise 
than  for  the  improving  thereof,  until 
he  attain  his  age  of  strength ;  and  use  a 
full  measure  and  a  just  balance.  We 
will  not  impose  a  task  on  any  soul, 
beyond  its  ability.  And  when  you  pro- 
nounce judgment  observe  justice,  al- 
though it  be  for  or  against  one  who  is 
near  of  kin,  and  fulfil  the  covenant  of 
God.  This  has  God  commanded  you, 
that  you  may  be  admonished;  and  that 
you  may  know  that  this  is  my  right 
way :  therefore  follow  it,  and  follow  not 
the  paths  of  others,  lest  you  be  scattered 
from  the  path  of  God.  This  has  he 
commanded  you,  that  you  may  take  heed. 

We  gave  also  unto  Moses  the  book 
of  the  Law;    a  perfect  rule  unto  him 
93 


who  should  do  right,  and  a  determination 
concerning  all  things  needful,  and  a  di- 
rection, and  mercy  ;  that  the  children  of 
Israel  might  believe  the  meeting  of  their 
Lord.  And  this  book  which  we  have 
now  sent  down,  is  blessed ;  therefore 
follow  it  and  fear  God,  that  you  may  ob- 
tain mercy :  lest  you  should  say,  The 
scriptures  were  sent  down  unto  only  two 
people  before  us ;  and  we  neglected  to 
peruse  them  with  attention :  or  lest  you 
should  say.  If  a  book  of  divine  revela- 
tions had  been  sent  down  unto  us,  we 
should  surely  have  been  better  directed 
than  they.  And  now  has  a  manifest 
declaration  come  unto  you  from  your 
Lord,  and  a  direction  and  mercy :  and 
who  is  more  unjust  than  he  who  devises 
lies  against  the  signs  of  God,  and  turns 
aside  from  them  ?  We  will  reward 
those  who  turn  aside  from  our  signs 
with  a  grievous  punishment,  because 
they  have  turned  aside. 

Follow    that    which    has    been    sent 

down   unto   you  from   your  Lord ;  and 

follow  no  guides  besides  him  :   how  little 

will  you  be  warned !     How  many  cities 

94 


have  we  destroyed  ;  which  our  vengeance 
overtook  by  night,  or  while  they  were 
reposing  themselves  at  noonday !  And 
their  supplication,  when  our  punishment 
came  upon  them,  was  no  other  than  that 
they  said,  Verily  wc  have  been  unjust. 


9S 


THE  WORSHIP   OF  ADAM 

We  will  surely  call  those  to  an  ac- 
count, unto  whom  a  prophet  has  been 
sent ;  and  we  will  also  call  those  to 
account  who  have  been  sent  unto  them. 
And  we  will  declare  their  actions  unto 
them  with  knowledge;  for  we  are  not 
absent  from  them.  The  weighing  of 
men's  actions  on  that  day  shall  be  just ; 
and  they  whose  balances  laden  with  their 

96 


good  works  shall  be  heavy,  are  those  who 
shall  be  happy ;  but  they  whose  balances 
shall  be  light,  are  those  who  have  lost 
their  souls,  because  they  injured  our 
signs.  And  now  have  we  placed  you 
on  the  earth,  and  have  provided  you  food 
therein  :  but  how  little  are  you  thankful ! 

We  created  you,  and  afterward  formed 
you ;  and  then  said  unto  the  angels. 
Worship  Adam ;  and  they  all  wor- 
shipped him,  except  Iblis,  who  was  not 
one  of  those  who  worshipped. 

God  said  unto  him.  What  hindered 
thee  from  worshipping  Adam,  since  I 
had  commanded  thee  ? 

He  answered,  I  am  more  excellent 
than  he:  thou  hast  created  me  of  fire, 
and  hast  created  him  of  clay. 

God  said.  Get  thee  down  therefore 
from  paradise ;  for  it  is  not  fit  that  thou 
behave  thyself  proudly  therein  :  get  thee 
hence;  thou  shalt  be  one  of  the  con- 
temptible. 

He  answered.  Give  me  respite  until 
the  day  of  resurrection. 

God  said.  Verily  thou  shalt  be  one  of 
those  who  are  respited. 

97 


The  devil  said,  Because  thou  hast 
depraved  me,  I  vjrill  lay  wait  for  men  in 
thy  strait  wayj  then  will  I  come  upon 
them  from  before,  and  from  behind,  and 
from  their  right  hands,  and  from  their 
left ;  and  thou  shalt  not  find  the  greater 
part  of  them  thankful. 

God  said  unto  him,  Get  thee  hence, 
despised,  and  driven  far  away :  verily 
whoever  of  them  shall  follow  thee,  I  will 
surely  fill  hell  with  you  all :  but  as  for 
thee,  O  Adam,  dwell  thou  and  thy  wife 
in  paradise ;  and  eat  of  the  fruit  thereof 
wherever  you  will ;  but  approach  not 
this  tree,  lest  you  become  of  the  number 
of  the  unjust. 

And  Satan  suggested  to  them  both, 
that  he  would  discover  unto  them  their 
nakedness,  which  was  hidden  from  them ; 
and  he  said.  Your  Lord  has  not  forbidden 
you  this  tree,  for  any  other  reason  but 
lest  you  should  become  angels,  or  lest 
you  become  immortal. 

And  he  sware  unto  them,  saying. 
Verily  I  am  one  of  those  who  counsel 
you  aright.  And  he  caused  them  to  fall 
through  deceit. 

98 


And  when  they  had  tasted  of  the  tree, 
their  nakedness  appeared  unto  them; 
and  they  began  to  join  together  the 
leaves  of  paradise,  to  cover  themselves. 
And  their  Lord  called  to  them,  saying. 
Did  I  not  forbid  you  this  tree ;  and  did 
I  not  say  unto  you.  Verily  Satan  is  your 
declared  enemy  ? 

They  answered,  O  Lord,  we  have 
dealt  unjustly  with  our  own  souls ;  and 
if  thou  forgive  us  not,  and  be  not  merci- 
ful unto  us,  we  shall  surely  be  of  those 
who  perish. 

God  said.  Get  you  down,  the  one  of 
you  an  enemy  unto  the  other ;  and  you 
shall  have  a  dwelling-place  upon  earth, 
and  a  provision  for  a  season.  He  said. 
Therein  shall  you  live,  and  therein  shall 
you  die,  and  from  thence  shall  you  be 
taken  forth  at  the  resurrection.  O  chil- 
dren of  Adam,  we  have  sent  down  unto 
you  apparel,  to  conceal  your  nakedness, 
and  fair  garments;  but  the  clothing  of 
piety  is  better.  This  is  one  of  the  signs 
of  God;  that  peradventure  you  may 
consider. 


99 


EVIL    EXAMPLES 

O  children  of  Adam,  let  not  Satan 
seduce  you,  as  he  expelled  your  parents 
out  of  paradise,  by  stripping  them  of  their 
clothing,  that  he  might  show  them  their 
nakedness  :  verily  he  sees  you,  both  he 
and  his  companions,  whereas  you  see 
not  them.  We  have  appointed  the  devils 
to  be  the  patrons  of  those  who  believe 
not :  and  when  they  commit  a  filthy 
action,  they  say.  We  found  our  fathers 
practising  the  same ;  and  God  has  com- 
mandeth  us  to  do  it. 

Say,  Verily  God  commands  not  filthy 
actions.  Do  you  speak  concerning  God 
that  which  you  know  not?  Say,  My 
Lord  has  commanded  me  to  observe 
justice  5  therefore  set  your  faces  to  pray 
at  every  place  of  worship,  and  call  upon 
him,  approving  unto  him  the  sincerity  of 
your  religion.  As  he  produced  you  at 
first,  so  unto  him  shall  you  return.  A 
part  of  mankind  has  he  directed ;  and  a 
part  has  been  justly  led  into  error,  because 
they  have  taken  the  devils  for  their 
100 


patrons  besides  God,  and   imagine  that 
they  are  rightly  directed. 

O  children  of  Adam,  take  your  decent 
apparel  at  every  place  of  worship,  and 
eat  and  drink,  but  be  not  guilty  of  excess ; 
for  he  loves  not  those  who  are  guilty  of 
excess.  Say,  Who  has  forbidden  the 
decent  apparel  of  God,  which  he  has 
produced  for  his  servants,  and  the  good 
things  which  he  has  provided  for  food  ? 
Say,  These  things  are  for  those  who  be- 
lieve, in  this  present  life,  but  peculiarly 
on  the  day  of  resurrection.  Thus  do 
we  distinctly  explain  our  signs  unto 
people    who    understand. 

Say,  Verily  my  Lord  has  forbidden 
filthy  actions,  both  that  which  is  discov- 
ered thereof,  and  that  which  is  concealed, 
and  also  iniquity,  and  unjust  violence; 
and  has  forbidden  you  to  associate  with 
God  that  concerning  which  he  has  sent 
you  down  no  authority,  or  to  speak  of 
God  that  which  you  know  not. 

Unto  every  nation  there  is  a  prefixed 
term;  therefore  when  their  term  is 
expired,  they  shall  not  have  respite  for 
an  hour,  neither  shall  they  be  anticipated. 

lOI 


WOES     TO     COME 

Who  is  more  unjust  than  he  who  de- 
vises a  lie  concerning  God,  or  accuses 
his  signs  of  imposture  f  Unto  these 
shall  be  given  their  portion  of  worldly 
happiness,  according  to  what  is  written 
in  the  book  of  God's  decrees,  until  our 
messengers  come  unto  them,  and  shall 
cause  them  to  die;  saying.  Where  are 
the  idols  which  you  called  upon,  besides 
God? 

They  shall  answer.  They  have  dis- 
appeared from  us.  And  they  shall  bear 
witness  against  themselves,  that  they 
were  unbelievers. 

God  shall  say  unto  them  at  the  re- 
surrection. Enter  with  the  nations  which 
have  preceded  you,  of  genii  and  of 
men,  into  hell-fire;  as  often  as  one 
nation  shall  enter,  it  shall  curse  its  sister, 
until  they  shall  all  have  successively  en- 
tered therein. 

The  latter  of  them  shall  say  of  the 
former  of  them,  O  Lord,  these  have 
seduced  us ;  therefore  inflict  on  them  a 
double  punishment  of  the  fire  of  hell, 

102 


God  shall  answer.  It  shall  be  doubled 
unto  all ;  but  you  know  it  not.  And 
the  former  of  them  shall  say  unto  the 
latter  of  them,  You  have  not  therefore 
any  favour  above  us  j  taste  the  punish- 
ment for  that  which  you  have  gained. 
Verily  they  who  shall  charge  our  signs 
with  falsehood,  and  shall  proudly  reject 
them,  the  gates  of  heaven  shall  not  be 
opened  unto  them,  neither  shall  they 
enter  into  paradise,  until  a  camel  pass 
through  the  eye  of  a  needle;  and  thus 
will  we  reward  the  wicked  doers.  Their 
couch  shall  be  in  hell,  and  over  them 
shall  be  coverings  of  fire ;  and  thus  will 
we  reward  the  unjust. 

But  they  who  believe  and  do  that 
which  is  right  (we  will  not  load  any  soul 
but  according  to  its  ability),  they  shall  be 
the  companions  of  paradise;  they  shall 
remain  therein  for  ever.  And  we  will 
remove  all  grudges  from  their  minds; 
rivers  shall  run  at  their  feet,  and  they 
shall  say.  Praised  be  God  who  has  directed 
us  unto  this  felicity !  for  we  should  not 
have  been  rightly  directed,  if  God  had 
not  directed  us :  now  are  we  convinced 
103 


by  demonstration  that  the  apostles  of 
our  Lord  came  unto  us  with  truth. 
And  it  shall  be  proclaimed  unto  them, 
This  is  paradise,  whereof  you  are  made 
heirs,  as  a  reward  for  that  which  you 
have  wrought. 

And  the  inhabitants  of  paradise  shall 
call  out  to  the  inhabitants  of  hell  fire, 
saying.  Now  have  we  found  that  which 
our  Lord  promised  us  to  be  true ;  have 
you  also  found  that  which  your  Lord 
promised  you  to  be  true  ? 

They  shall  answer.  Yea. 

And  a  crier  shall  proclaim  between 
them.  The  curse  of  God  shall  be  on  the 
wicked;  who  turn  men  aside  from  the 
way  of  God,  and  seek  to  render  it  crooked, 
and  who  deny  the  life  to  come.  And 
between  the  blessed  and  the  damned 
there  shall  be  a  veil;  and  men  shall 
stand  on  al  Araf,  who  shall  know  every 
one  of  them  by  their  marks ;  and  shall 
call  unto  the  inhabitants  of  paradise, 
saying.  Peace  be  upon  you :  yet  they 
shall  not  enter  therein,  although  they 
earnestly  desire  it.  And  when  they  shall 
turn  their  eyes  towards  the  companions 
104 


of  hell  fire,  they  shall  say,  O  Lord,  place 
us  not  with  the  ungodly  people ! 

And  those  who  stand  on  al  Araf  shall 
call  unto  certain  men,  whom  they  shall 
know  by  their  marks,  and  shall  say. 
What  has  your  gathering  of  riches  availed 
you,  and  that  you  were  puffed  up  with 
pride  ?  Are  these  the  men  on  whom 
you  swore  that  God  would  not  bestow 
mercy  ?  Enter  you  into  paradise ;  there 
shall  come  no  fear  on  you,  neither  shall 
you  be  grieved. 

And  the  inhabitants  of  hell  fire  shall 
call  unto  the  inhabitants  of  paradise,  say- 
ing. Pour  upon  us  some  water,  or  of 
those  refreshments  which  God  has  be- 
stowed on  you. 

They  shall  answer.  Verily  God  has 
forbidden  them  unto  the  unbelievers; 
who  made  a  laughing-stock  and  a  sport 
of  their  religion,  and  whom  the  life  of 
the  world  has  deceived :  therefore  this 
day  will  we  forget  them,  as  they  did  for- 
get the  meeting  of  this  day,  and  because 
they  denied  our  signs. 

And  now  we  have  brought  a  book  of 
divine  revelations :  we  have  explained  it 
105 


with  knowledge ;  a  direction  and  mercy 
unto  people  who  shall  believe.  Do  they 
wait  for  any  other  than  the  interpreta- 
tion thereof? 

On  the  day  whereon  the  interpreta- 
tion thereof  shall  come,  they  who  had 
forgotten  the  same  before,  shall  say. 
Now  are  we  convinced  that  the  messen- 
gers of  our  Lord  came  with  truth  :  shall 
we  therefore  have  any  intercessors,  who 
will  intercede  for  us?  or  shall  we  be 
sent  back  that  we  may  do  other  than 
what  we  did  ? 

But  now  have  they  lost  their  souls; 
and  that  which  they  impiously  imagined, 
has  fled  from  them. 


io6 


GOD'S   GOODNESS 

Verily  your  Lord  is  God,  who  created 
the  heavens  and  the  earth  in  six  days; 
and  then  ascended  his  throne :  he  causes 
the  night  to  cover  the  day ;  it  succeeds 
the  same  swiftly :  he  also  created  the 
sun  and  the  moon,  and  the  stars,  which 
are  absolutely  subject  unto  his  command. 
Is  not  the  whole  creation,  and  the  empire 
thereof,  his  ?  Blessed  be  God,  the  Lord 
of  all  creatures  !  Call  upon  your  Lord 
107 


humbly  and  in  secret ;  for  he  loves  not 
those  who  transgress.  And  act  not  cor- 
ruptly in  the  earth,  after  its  reformation  j 
and  call  upon  him  with  fear  and  desire : 
for  the  mercy  of  God  is  near  unto  the 
righteous.  It  is  he  who  sends  the  winds, 
spread  abroad  before  his  mercy,  until 
they  bring  a  cloud  heavy  with  rain, 
which  we  drive  unto  a  dead  country ; 
and  we  cause  water  to  descend  thereon, 
by  which  we  cause  all  sorts  of  fruits  to 
spring  forth.  Thus  will  we  bring  forth 
the  dead  from  their  graves ;  that  perad- 
venture  you  may  consider.  From  a 
good  country  shall  its  fruit  spring  forth 
abundantly,  by  the  permission  of  its 
Lord ;  but  from  the  land  which  is  bad, 
it  shall  not  spring  forth  otherwise  than 
scarcely.  Thus  do  we  explain  the  signs 
of  divine  providence  unto  people  who 
are  thankful. 

We  formerly  sent  Noah  unto  his 
people  ;  and  he  said,  O  my  people,  wor- 
ship God  :  you  have  no  other  God  than 
him.  Verily  I  fear  for  you  the  punish- 
ment of  the  great  day. 

The  chiefs  of  his  people  answered  him, 
I08 


We  surely  perceive  thee  to  be  in  a  man- 
ifest error. 

He  replied,  O  my  people,  there  is  no 
error  in  mej  but  I  am  a  messenger 
from  the  Lord  of  all  creatures.  I  bring 
unto  you  the  messages  of  my  Lord ; 
and  I  counsel  you  aright :  for  I  know 
from  God  that  which  you  know  not. 
Do  you  wonder  that  an  admonition  has 
come  unto  you  from  your  Lord  by  a 
man  from  among  you,  to  warn  you,  that 
you  may  take  heed  to  yourselves,  and 
that  peradventure  you  may  obtain  mercy  ? 

And  they  accused  him  of  imposture : 
but  we  delivered  him  and  those  who 
were  with  him  in  the  ark,  and  we  drowned 
those  who  charged  our  signs  with  false- 
hood; for  they   were  a  blind   people. 

THE  IDOLATERS  AND  THE  PROPHET 

Unto  the  tribe  of  Ad  we  sent  their 
brother  Hud.  He  said,  O  my  people 
worship  God :  you  have  no  other  God 
than  him ;  will  you  not  fear  him  ? 

The  chiefs  of  those  among  his  people 
who  believed  not,  answered,  Verily  we 
109 


perceive  that  thou  art  guided  by  folly ; 
and  we  certainly  esteem  thee  to  be  one 
of  the  liars. 

He  replied,  O  my  people,  I  am  not 
guided  by  folly;  but  I  am  a  messenger 
unto  you  from  the  Lord  of  all  creatures  : 
1  bring  unto  you  the  messages  of  my 
Lord;  and  I  am  a  faithful  counsellor 
unto  you.  Do  you  wonder  that  an 
admonition  has  come  unto  you  from 
your  Lord,  by  a  man  from  among  you, 
that  he  may  warn  you  ?  Call  to  mind 
how  he  has  appointed  you  successors 
unto  the  people  of  Noah,  and  has  added 
unto  you  in  stature  largely.  Remember 
the  benefits  of  God,  that  you  may 
prosper. 

They  said.  Art  thou  come  unto  us, 
that  we  should  worship  God  alone,  and 
leave  the  deities  which  our  fathers 
worshipped  ?  Now  bring  down  that 
judgment  upon  us,  with  which  thou 
threatenest  us,  if  thou  speakest  truth. 

Hud  answered.  Now  shall  there  sud- 
denly fall  upon  you  from  your  Lord 
vengeance  and  indignation.  Will  you 
dispute  with  me  concerning  the  names 
IIO 


which  you  have  named,  and  your  fathers ; 
as  to  which  God  has  not  revealed  unto 
you  any  authority  ?  Wait  therefore,  and 
I  will  be  one  of  those  who  wait  with 
you. 

And  we  delivered  him,  and  them  who 
believed  with  him,  by  our  mercy;  and 
we  cut  ofF  the  uttermost  part  of  those 
who  charged  our  signs  with  falsehood, 
and  were  not  believers. 

And  unto  the  tribe  of  Thamud  we 
sent  their  brother  Saleh.  He  said,  O 
my  people,  worship  God :  you  have  no 
God  besides  him.  Now  has  a  manifest 
proof  come  unto  you  from  your  Lord. 
This  she-camel  of  God  is  a  sign  unto 
you :  therefore  dismiss  her  freely,  that 
she  may  feed  in  God's  earth ;  and  do  her 
no  hurt,  lest  a  painful  punishment  seize 
you.  And  call  to  mind  how  he  has 
appointed  you  successors  unto  the  tribe 
of  Ad,  and  has  given  you  a  habitation  on 
earth ;  you  build  yourselves  castles  on  the 
plains  thereof,  and  cut  out  the  mountains 
into  houses.  Remember  therefore  the 
benefits  of  God,  and  commit  not  violence 
in  the  earth,  acting  corruptly.  The 
III 


chiefs  among  his  people  who  were  puffed 
up  with  pride,  said  unto  those  who  were 
esteemed  weak,  namely,  unto  those  who 
believed  among  them.  Do  you  know 
that  Saleh  has  been  sent  from  his  Lord  ? 

They  answered.  We  do  surely  believe 
in  that  wherewith  he  has  been  sent. 
Those  who  were  elated  with  pride 
replied.  Verily  we  believe  not  in  that 
wherein  you  believe.  And  they  cut  off 
the  feet  of  the  camel,  and  insolently 
transgressed  the  command  of  their  Lord, 
and  said,  O  Saleh,  cause  that  to  come 
upon  us,  with  which  thou  hast  threat- 
ened us,  if  thou  art  one  of  those  who 
have  been  sent  by  God. 

Whereupon  a  terrible  noise  from 
heaven  assailed  them ;  and  in  the  morn- 
ing they  were  found  in  their  dwellings 
prostrate  on  their  breasts  and  dead. 
And  Saleh  departed  from  them,  and  said, 

0  my  people,  now  have  I  delivered 
unto  you  the  message  of  my  Lord ;  and 

1  advised  you  well,  but  you  love  not 
those  who  advise  you  well. 


112 


THE    FATE    OF  ROBBERS 

Unto  Madian  we  sent  their  brother 
Shoaib.  He  said  unto  them,  O  my 
people,  worship  God ;  you  have  no  God 
besides  him.  Now  has  an  evident  dem- 
onstration come  unto  you  from  your 
Lord.  Therefore  give  full  measure 
and  just  weight,  and  diminish  not  unto 
men  aught  of  their  matters ;  neither  act 
corruptly  in  the  earth,  after  its  reforma- 
tion. This  will  be  better  for  you,  if 
you  believe.  And  beset  not  every  way, 
threatening  the  passenger,  and  turning 
aside  from  the  path  of  God  him  who 
believes  in  him,  and  seeking  to  make  it 
crooked.  And  remember,  when  you 
were  few,  and  God  multiplied  you  :  and 
behold,  what  has  been  the  end  of  those 
who  acted  corruptly.  And  if  part  of 
you  believe  that  wherewith  I  am  sent, 
and  part  believe  not,  wait  patiently  until 
God  judge  between  us;  for  he  is  the 
best  judge. 

The  chiefs  of  his  people,  who  were 
elated  with  pride,  answered,  Wc  will 
surely  cast  thee,  O  Shoaib,  and  those 
113 


who  believe  with  thee,  out  of  our  city ; 
or  else  thou  shalt  certainly  return  unto 
our  religion. 

He  said,  What,  though  we  be  averse 
thereto  ?  We  shall  surely  imagine  a  lie 
against  God,  if  we  return  unto  your 
religion,  after  God  has  delivered  us  from 
the  same :  and  we  have  no  reason  to 
return  unto  it,  unless  God  our  Lord  shall 
please  to  abandon  us. 

Our  Lord  comprehends  everything 
by  his  knowledge.  In  God  do  we  put 
our  trust.  O  Lord,  do  thou  judge  be- 
tween us  and  our  nation  with  truth  ;  for 
thou  art  the  best  judge.  And  the  chiefs 
of  his  people,  who  believed  not,  said. 
If  you  follow  Shoaib,  you  shall  surely 
perish. 

Therefore  a  storm  from  heaven 
assailed  them,  and  in  the  morning  they 
were  found  in  their  dwellings  dead 
and  prostrate.  They  who  accused 
Shoaib  of  imposture  became  as  though 
they  had  never  dwelt  therein  ;  they  who 
accused  Shoaib  of  imposture  perished 
themselves.  And  he  departed  from 
them,  and  said : 

114 


O  my  people,  now  have  I  performed 
unto  you  the  messages  of  my  Lord ;  and 
I  advised  you  aright :  but  why  should  I 
be  grieved  for  an  unbelieving  people  ? 
We  have  never  sent  any  prophet  into  a 
city,  but  we  afflicted  the  inhabitants 
thereof  with  calamity  and  adversity,  that 
they  might  humble  themselves.  Then 
we  gave  them  in  exchange  good  in  lieu 
of  evil,  until  they  abounded,  and  said. 
Adversity  and  prosperity  formerly  hap- 
pened unto  our  fathers,  as  unto  us. 
Therefore  we  took  vengeance  on  them 
suddenly,  and  they  perceived  it  not 
beforehand. 

But  if  the  inhabitants  of  those  cities 
had  believed  and  feared  God,  we  would 
surely  have  opened  to  them  blessings 
both  from  heaven  and  earth.  But  they 
charged  our  apostles  with  falsehood ; 
wherefore  we  took  vengeance  on  them, 
for  that  which  they  had  been  guilty  of. 
Were  the  inhabitants  therefore  of  those 
cities  secure  that  our  punishment  should 
not  fall  on  them  by  night,  while  they 
slept  ?  Or  were  the  inhabitants  of  those 
cities  secure  that  our  punishment  should 
115 


not  fall  on  them  by  day,  while  they 
sported  ?  Were  they  therefore  secure 
from  the  stratagem  of  God  ?  But  none 
will  think  himself  secure  from  the  strata- 
gem of  God,  except  the  people  who 
perish.  And  has  it  not  manifestly  ap- 
peared unto  those  who  have  inherited 
the  earth  after  the  former  inhabitants 
thereof,  that,  if  we  please,  we  can  afflict 
them  for  their  sins  ?  But  we  will  seal 
up  their  hearts;  and  they  shall  not 
hearken. 


Ii6 


PREDESTINATION 

Evil  is  the  similitude  of  those  people 
who  accuse  our  signs  of  falsehood  and  in- 
jure their  own  souls.  Whomever  God 
shall  direct,  he  will  be  rightly  directed  j 
and  whomever  he  shall  lead  astray,  he 
shall  perish.  Moreover  we  have  created 
for  hell  many  of  the  genii  and  of  men ; 
they  have  hearts  by  which  they  understand 
not,  and  they  have  eyes  by  which  they 
117 


see  not,  and  they  have  ears  by  which 
they  hear  not.  These  are  like  the  brute 
beasts  ;  yea,  they  go  more  astray  :  these 
are  the  negligent. 

God  has  most  excellent  names  :  there- 
fore call  on  him  by  the  same ;  and  with- 
draw from  those  who  use  his  names 
perversely :  they  shall  be  rewarded  for 
that  which  they  shall  have  wrought. 
And  of  those  whom  we  have  created 
there  are  a  people  who  direct  others  with 
truth,  and  act  justly  according  thereto. 
But  those  who  devise  lies  against  our 
signs,  we  will  suffer  them  to  fall  gradu- 
ally into  ruin,  by  a  method  which  they 
know  not :  and  I  will  grant  them  to 
enjoy  a  long  and  prosperous  life ;  for 
my  stratagem  is  effectual.  Do  they  not 
consider  that  there  is  no  devil  in  their 
companion  ?  He  is  no  other  than  a 
public  preacher.  Or  do  they  not  con- 
template the  kingdom  of  heaven  and 
earth,  and  the  things  which  God  has 
created;  and  consider  that  peradventure 
it  may  be  that  their  end  draws  nigh  ? 
And  in  what  new  declaration  will  they 
believe,  after  this  ? 

Ii8 


He  whom  God  shall  cause  to  err, 
shall  have  no  director;  and  he  shall 
leave  them  in  their  impiety,  wandering 
in  confusion. 

They  will  ask  thee  concerning  the 
last  hour;  at  what  time  its  coming  is 
fixed  ?  Answer,  Verily  the  knowledge 
thereof  is  with  my  Lord,  none  shall 
declare  the  fixed  time  thereof,  except 
he.  The  expectation  thereof  is  grievous 
in  heaven  and  on  earth :  it  shall  come 
upon  you  no  otherwise  than  suddenly. 
They  will  ask  thee,  as  if  thou  wert  well 
acquainted  therewith.  Answer,  Verily 
the  knowledge  thereof  is  with  God 
alone  :  but  the  greater  part  of  men  know 
it  not. 

Say,  I  am  able  neither  to  procure  ad- 
vantage unto  myself,  nor  to  avert  mis- 
chief from  me,  but  as  God  pleases.  If 
I  knew  the  secrets  of  God,  I  should 
surely  enjoy  abundance  of  good,  neither 
should  evil  befall  me.  Verily  I  am  no 
other  than  a  denouncer  of  threats,  and  a 
messenger  of  good  tidings  unto  people 
who  believe.  It  is  he  who  has  created 
you  from  one  person,  and  out  of  him 
119 


produced  his  wife,  that  he  might  dwell 
with  her;  and  when  he  had  known  her, 
she  carried  a  light  burden  for  a  time, 
wherefore  she  walked  easily  therewith. 
But  when  it  became  more  heavy,  they 
called  upon  God,  their  Lord,  saying,  If 
thou  give  us  a  child  rightly  shaped,  we 
will  surely  be  thankful.  Yet  when  he 
had  given  them  a  child  rightly  shaped, 
they  attributed  companions  unto  him, 
for  that  which  he  had  given  them.  But 
far  be  that  from  God,  which  they  associ- 
ated with  him  ! 

IDOLATRY 

Will  they  associate  with  him  false 
gods  which  create  nothing,  but  are  them- 
selves created;  and  can  neither  give 
them  assistance,  nor  help  themselves  ? 
And  if  you  invite  them  to  the  true  direc- 
tion, they  will  not  follow  you :  it  will 
be  equal  unto  you,  whether  you  invite 
them,  or  whether  you  hold  your  peace. 
Verily  the  false  deities  whom  you  invoke 
besides  God,  are  servants  like  unto  you. 
Call  therefore  upon  them,  and  let  them 
1 20 


give  you  an  answer,  if  you  speak  truth. 
Have  they  feet,  to  walk  with  ?  Or 
have  they  hands,  to  lay  hold  with  ? 
Or  have  they  eyes,  to  sec  with  ?  Or 
have  they  ears,  to  hear  with  ?  Say,  Call 
upon  your  companions,  and  then  lay  a 
snare  for  me,  and  defer  it  not ;  for  God 
is  my  protector,  who  sent  down  the  book 
of  the  Koran ;  and  he  protects  the  right- 
eous. But  they  whom  you  invoke  be- 
sides him,  cannot  assist  you,  neither  do 
they  help  themselves ;  and  if  you  call  on 
them  to  direct  you,  they  will  not  hear. 
Thou  seest  them  look  towards  thee,  but 
they  see  not. 

Use  indulgence,  and  command  that 
which  is  just,  and  withdraw  far  from  the 
ignorant.  And  if  an  evil  suggestion 
from  Satan  be  suggested  unto  thee,  to 
divert  thee  from  thy  duty,  have  recourse 
unto  God;  for  he  hears  and  knows. 
Verily  they  who  fear  God,  when  a 
temptation  from  Satan  assails  them,  re- 
member the  divine  commands,  and  be- 
hold, they  clearly  see  the  danger  of  sin, 
and  the  wiles  of  the  devil.  But  as  for 
the  brethren  of  the  devils,  they  shall  con- 

121 


tinue  them  in  error ;  and  afterwards  they 
shall  not  preserve  themselves  therefrom. 
And  when  thou  bringest  not  a  verse  of 
the  Koran  unto  them,  they  say,  Hast 
thou  not  put  it  together  ? 

Answer,  I  follow  that  only  which  is 
revealed  unto  me  from  my  Lord.  This 
book  containeth  evident  proofs  from 
your  Lord,  and  is  a  direction  and  mercy 
unto  people  who  believe.  And  when 
the  Koran  is  read,  attend  thereto,  and 
keep  silence  j  that  ye  may  obtain  mercy. 
And  meditate  on  thy  Lord  in  thine  own 
mind,  with  humility  and  fear,  and  with- 
out loud  speaking,  evening  and  morning ; 
and  be  not  one  of  the  negligent.  More- 
over the  angels  who  are  with  my  Lord, 
do  not  proudly  disdain  his  service,  but 
they  celebrate  his  praise  and  worship 
him. 


THE    SPOILS 

They  will  ask  thee  concerning  the 
spoils :  Answer,  The  division  of  the 
spoils  belongs  unto  God  and  the  apostle. 
Therefore  fear  God,  and   compose  the 

122 


matter  amicably  among  you ;  and  obey 
God  and  his  apostle,  if  you  are  true 
believers. 

Verily  the  true  believers  are  those 
whose  hearts  fear  when  God  is  men- 
tioned, and  whose  faith  increases  when 
his  signs  are  rehearsed  unto  them,  and 
who  trust  in  their  Lord;  who  observe 
the  stated  times  of  prayer,  and  give  alms 
out  of  that  which  we  have  bestowed  on 
them.  These  are  really  believers  :  they 
shall  have  superior  degrees  of  felicity 
with  their  Lord,  and  forgiveness,  and  an 
honourable  provision. 

PROMISE    OF    VICTORY 

I  will  cast  a  dread  into  the  hearts  of 
the  unbelievers.  Therefore  strike  off 
their  heads,  and  strike  off  all  the  ends 
of  their  fingers.  This,  because  they 
have  resisted  God  and  his  apostle :  and 
whoever  shall  oppose  God  and  his 
apostle,  verily  God  will  be  severe  in 
punishing  him.  This  shall  be  your 
punishment ;  taste  it  therefore :  and  the 
infidels  shall  also  suffer  the  torment  of 
123 


hell  fire.  O  true  believers,  when  you 
meet  the  unbelievers  marching  in  great 
numbers  against  you,  turn  not  your 
backs  unto  them  :  for  whoever  shall  turn 
his  back  unto  them  on  that  day,  unless 
he  turns  aside  to  fight,  or  retreats  to 
another  party  of  the  faithful,  shall  draw 
on  himself  the  indignation  of  God,  and 
his  abode  shall  be  hell;  an  ill  journey 
shall  it  be  thither !  And  you  yourselves 
slew  not  those  who  were  slain  at  Bedr,  but 
God  slew  them.  Neither  didst  thou,  O 
Mohammed,  cast  the  gravel  into  their 
eyes,  when  thou  didst  seem  to  cast  it ; 
but  God  cast  it,  that  he  might  prove  the 
true  believers  by  a  gracious  trial  from 
himself ;  for  God  hears  and  knows. 
This  was  done  that  God  might  also 
weaken  the  crafty  devices  of  the  un- 
believers. 

FORGIVENESS 

O  true  believers,  obey  God  and  his 

apostle,  and   turn  not  back   from  him, 

since  you  hear  the  admonitions  of  the 

Koran.     And  be  not  as  those  who  say, 

124 


Wc  hear,  when  they  do  not  hear.  Verily 
the  worst  sort  of  beasts  in  the  sight  of 
God,  are  the  deaf  and  the  dumb,  who 
understand  not.  If  God  had  known 
any  good  in  them,  he  would  certainly 
have  caused  them  to  hear :  and  if  he  had 
caused  them  to  hear,  they  would  surely 
have  turned  back,  and  have  retired  afar 
off.  O  true  believers,  answer  God  and 
his  apostle,  when  he  invites  you  unto 
that  which  'gives  you  life ;  and  know 
that  God  goes  between  a  man  and  his 
heart,  and  that  before  him  you  shall  be 
assembled. 

Beware  of  sedition  j  it  will  not  affect 
those  who  are  ungodly  among  you  par- 
ticularly, but  all  of  you  in  general ;  and 
know  that  God  is  severe  in  punishing. 
And  remember  when  you  were  few,  and 
reputed  weak  in  the  land ;  you  feared 
lest  men  should  snatch  you  away ;  but 
God  provided  you  a  place  of  refuge,  and 
he  strengthened  you  with  his  assistance, 
and  bestowed  on  you  good  things,  that 
you  might  give  thanks. 

O  true  believers,  deceive  not  God  and 
his  apostle ;  neither  violate  your  faith, 
125 


against  your  own  knowledge.  And 
know  that  your  wealth,  and  your  chil- 
dren are  a  temptation  unto  you ;  and  that 
with  God  is  a  great  reward.  O  true 
believers,  if  you  fear  God,  he  will  grant 
you  a  distinction,  and  will  expiate  your 
sins  from  you,  and  will  forgive  you ;  for 
God  is  endued  with  great  liberality. 

And  call  to  mind  when  the  unbelievers 
plotted  against  thee,  that  they  might 
either  detain  thee  in  bonds,  or  put  thee 
to  death,  or  expel  thee  the  city,  and 
they  plotted  against  thee :  but  God  laid 
a  plot  against  them  ;  and  God  is  the  best 
layer  of  plots.  And  when  our  signs  are 
repeated  unto  them,  they  say.  We  have 
heard ;  if  we  pleased  we  could  certainly 
pronounce  a  composition  like  unto  this : 
this  is  nothing  but  fables  of  the  ancients. 

And  when  they  said,  O  God,  if  this 
be  the  truth  from  thee,  rain  down  stones 
upon  us  from  heaven,  or  inflict  on  us 
some  other  grievous  punishment.  But 
God  was  not  disposed  to  punish  them, 
while  thou  wast  with  them;  nor  was 
God  disposed  to  punish  them  when  they 
asked  pardon.  But  they  have  nothing 
126 


to  offer  in  excuse  why  God  should  not 
punish  them,  since  they  hindered  the 
believers  from  visiting  the  holy  temple, 
although  they  are  not  the  guardians 
thereof.  The  guardians  thereof  are 
those  only  vi^ho  fear  God;  but  the 
greater  part  of  them  know  it  not.  And 
their  prayer  at  the  house  of  God  is  no 
other  than  whistling  and  clapping  of  the 
hands.  Taste  therefore  the  punishment, 
because  you  have  been  unbelievers. 

They  who  believe  not,  expend  their 
wealth  to  obstruct  the  way  of  God : 
they  shall  expend  it,  but  afterwards  it 
shall  become  matter  of  sighing  and  regret 
unto  them,  and  at  length  they  shall  be 
overcome;  and  the  unbelievers  shall 
be  gathered  together  into  hell ;  that  God 
may  distinguish  the  wicked  from  the 
good,  and  may  throw  the  wicked  one 
upon  the  other,  and  may  gather  them  all 
in  a  heap,  and  cast  them  into  hell.  These 
are  they  who  shall  perish.  Say  unto  the 
unbelievers,  that  if  they  desist  from 
opposing  thee,  what  is  already  past  shall 
be  forgiven  them  ;  but  if  they  return  to 
attack  thee,  the  exemplary  punishment 
127 


of  the  former  opposers  of  the  prophets 
is  already  past,  and  the  like  shall  be 
inflicted  on  them. 

Therefore  fight  against  them  until 
there  be  no  opposition  in  favour  of  idol- 
atry, and  the  religion  be  wholly  God*s. 
If  they  desist,  verily  God  sees  that  which 
they  do  :  but  if  they  turn  back,  know  that 
God  is  your  patron;  he  is  the  best 
patron,  and  the  best  helper. 


128 


PERSEVERANCE 

O  TRUE  believers,  when  you  meet  a 
party  of  the  infidels,  stand  firm,  and 
remember  God  frequently,  that  you  may 
prosper :  and  obey  God  and  his  apostle, 
and  be  not  refractory,  lest  you  be  dis- 
couraged, and  your  success  depart  from 
you;  but  persevere  with  patience,  for 
God  is  with  those  who  persevere.  And 
be  not  as  those  who  went  out  of  their 
houses  in  an  insolent  manner,  and  to 
129 


appear  with  ostentation  unto  men,  and 
turned  aside  from  the  way  of  God ;  for 
God  comprehends  that  which  they  do. 

And  remember  when  Satan  prepared 
their  works  for  them,  and  said.  No  man 
shall  prevail  against  you  to-day ;  and  I 
will  surely  be  near  to  assist  you.  But 
when  the  two  armies  appeared  in  sight 
of  each  other,  he  turned  back  on  his 
heels,  and  said.  Verily  I  am  clear  of  you  : 
I  certainly  see  that  which  you  see  not ;  I 
fear  God,  for  God  is  severe  in  punish- 
ing. 

When  the  hypocrites,  and  those  in 
whose  hearts  there  was  an  infirmity,  said, 
Their  religion  has  deceived  these  men : 
but  whoever  confides  in  God  cannot  be 
deceived;  for  God  is  mighty  and  wise. 
And  if  thou  didst  behold  when  the  angels 
cause  the  unbelievers  to  die  :  they  strike 
their  faces  and  their  backs,  and  say  unto 
them.  Taste  you  the  pain  of  burning : 
this  shall  you  suffer  for  that  which  your 
hands  have  sent  before  you ;  and  because 
God  is  not  unjust  toward  his  servants. 

These    have  acted  according   to  the 
wont  of  the  people  of  Pharaoh,  and  of 
130 


those  before  them,  who  disbelieved  in  the 
signs  of  God  :  therefore  God  took  them 
away  in  their  iniquity;  for  God  is 
mighty,  and  severe  in  punishing.  This 
has  come  to  pass  because  God  changes 
not  his  grace,  wherewith  he  has  favoured 
any  people,  until  they  change  that  which 
is  in  their  souls ;  and  because  God  both 
hears  and  sees.  According  to  the  wont 
of  the  people  of  Pharaoh,  and  of  those 
before  them,  who  charged  the  signs  of 
their  Lord  with  imposture,  have  they 
acted :  wherefore  we  destroyed  them  in 
their  sins,  and  we  drowned  the  people 
of  Pharaoh;  for  they  were  all  unjust 
persons. 

OBSTINATE    INFIDELS 

Verily  the  worst  cattle  in  the  sight  of 
God  are  those  who  are  obstinate  infidels, 
and  will  not  believe.  As  to  those  who 
enter  into  a  league  with  thee,  and  after- 
wards violate  their  league  at  every  con- 
venient opportunity,  and  fear  not  God  ; 
if  thou  take  them  in  war,  disperse,  by 
making  them  an  example,  those  who 
131 


shall  come  after  them,  that  they  may  be 
warned ;  or  if  thou  apprehend  treachery 
from  any  people,  throw  back  their  league 
unto  them,  with  like  treatment ;  for  God 
loves  not  the  treacherous.  And  think 
not  that  the  unbelievers  have  escaped 
God's  vengeance,  for  they  shall  not 
weaken  the  power  of  God.  Therefore 
prepare  against  them  what  force  you  are 
able,  and  troops  of  horse,  whereby  you 
may  strike  a  terror  into  the  enemy  of 
God,  and  your  enemy,  and  into  other 
infidels  besides  them,  whom  you  know 
not,  but  God  knows  them. 

And  whatever  you  shall  expend  in  the 
defence  of  the  religion  of  God,  it  shall 
be  repaid  unto  you,  and  you  shall  not  be 
treated  unjustly.  And  if  they  incline 
unto  peace,  do  thou  also  incline  thereto ; 
and  put  thy  confidence  in  God,  for  it  is  he 
who  hears  and  knows.  But  if  they  seek 
to  deceive  thee,  verily  God  will  be  thy 
support.  It  is  he  who  has  strengthened 
thee  with  his  help,  and  with  that  of  the 
faithful ;  and  has  united  their  hearts.  If 
thou  hadst  expended  whatever  riches  are 
in  the  earth,  thou  couldst  not  have 
132 


united  their  hearts,  but  God  united  them ; 
for  he  is  mighty  and  wise. 

O  prophet,  God  is  thy  support,  and 
such  of  the  true  believers  who  follow 
thee.  O  prophet,  stir  up  the  faithful  to 
war:  if  twenty  of  you  persevere  with 
constancy,  they  shall  overcome  two 
hundred,  and  if  there  be  one  hundred  of 
you,  they  shall  overcome  a  thousand 
of  those  who  believe  not ;  because  they 
are  a  people  which  do  not  understand. 
Now  hath  God  eased  you,  for  he  knew 
that  you  were  weak.  If  there  be  a  hun- 
dred of  you  who  persevere  with  con- 
stancy, they  shall  overcome  two  hundred ; 
and  if  there  be  a  thousand  of  you,  they 
shall  overcome  two  thousand,  by  the 
permission  of  God;  for  God  is  with 
those  who  persevere. 

CAPTIVES 

O  prophet,  say  unto  the  captives  who 
are  in  your  hands.  If  God  shall  know  any 
good  to  be  in  your  hearts,  he  will  give 
you  better  than  what  has  been  taken 
from  you ;  and  he  will  forgive  you,  for 
133 


God  is  gracious  and  merciful.  But  if 
they  seek  to  deceive  thee,  verily  they 
have  deceived  God  before;  wherefore 
he  hath  given  thee  power  over  them  :  and 
God  is  knowing  and  wise.  Moreover 
they  who  have  believed,  and  have  fled  their 
country,  and  employed  their  substance 
and  their  persons  in  fighting  for  the  re- 
ligion of  God,  and  they  who  have  given 
the  prophet  a  refuge  among  them,  and 
have  assisted  him,  these  shall  be  deemed 
the  one  nearest  of  kin  to  the  other. 

But  they  who  have  believed,  but  have 
not  fled  their  country,  shall  have  no  right 
of  kindred  at  all  with  you,  until  they  also 
fly.  Yet  if  they  ask  assistance  of  you 
on  account  of  religion,  it  belongs  unto 
you  to  give  them  assistance;  except 
against  a  people  between  whom  and  your- 
selves there  shall  be  a  league  subsisting : 
and  God  sees  that  which  you  do. 

And  as  to  the  infidels,  let  them  be 
deemed  of  kin  the  one  to  the  other.  Un- 
less you  do  this,  there  will  be  a  sedition  in 
the  earth,  and  grievous  corruption.  But 
as  for  them  who  have  believed,  and  left 
their  country,  and  have  fought  for  God's 
134 


true  religion,  and  who  have  allowed  the 
prophet  a  retreat  among  them,  and  have 
assisted  him,  these  are  really  believers ; 
they  shall  receive  mercy,  and  an 
honourable  provision.  And  they  who 
have  believed  since,  and  have  fled  their 
country,  and  have  fought  with  you, 
these  also  are  of  you. 

IDOLATERS 

It  is  not  fitting  that  the  idolaters 
should  visit  the  temples  of  God,  being 
witnesses  against  their  own  souls  of  their 
infidelity.  The  works  of  these  men  are 
vain ;  and  they  shall  remain  in  hell  fire 
for  ever.  But  he  only  shall  visit  the 
temples  of  God,  who  believes  in  God  and 
the  last  day,  and  is  constant  at  prayer, 
and  pays  the  legal  alms,  and  fears  God 
alone.  These  perhaps  may  become  of  the 
number  of  those  who  are  rightly  directed. 

Do  you  reckon  the  giving  of  drink  to 
the  pilgrims,  and  the  visiting  of  the  holy 
temple,  to  be  actions  as  meritorious  as 
those  performed  by  him  who  believes 
in  God  and  the  last  day,  and  fights  for 
135 


the  religion  of  God  ?  They  shall  not 
be  held  equal  with  God  :  for  God  directs 
not  the  unrighteous  people.  They  who 
have  believed,  and  fled  their  country,  and 
employed  their  substance  and  their 
persons  in  the  defence  of  God's  true 
religion,  shall  be  in  the  highest  degree 
of  honour  with  God  ;  and  these  are  they 
who  shall  be  happy.  Their  Lord  sends 
them  good  tidings  of  mercy  from  him, 
and  good  will,  and  of  gardens  wherein 
they  shall  enjoy  lasting  pleasure;  they 
shall  continue  therein  for  ever :  for  God 
is  a  great  reward. 

O  true  believers,  take  not  your  fathers 
or  your  brethren  for  friends,  if  they  love 
infidelity  above  faith ;  and  whoever 
among  you  shall  take  them  for  his  friends, 
they  will  be  unjust  doers.  Say,  If  your 
fathers,  and  your  sons,  and  your  breth- 
ren, and  your  wives,  and  your  relations, 
and  your  substance  which  you  have 
acquired,  and  your  merchandise  which 
you  apprehend  may  not  be  sold  off,  and 
your  dwellings  wherein  you  delight,  be 
more  dear  unto  you  than  God,  and  his 
apostle,    and    the    advancement    of    his 

136 


religion ;  wait,  until  God  shall  send 
his  command :  for  God  directs  not  the 
ungodly  people. 

O  true  believers,  verily  the  idolaters 
are  unclean ;  let  them  not  therefore 
come  near  unto  the  holy  temple  after 
this  year.  And  if  you  fear  want,  by  the 
cutting  off  trade  and  communication  with 
them,  God  will  enrich  you  of  his  abun- 
dance, if  he  pleases ;  for  God  is  know- 
ing and  wise.  Fight  against  them  who 
believe  not  in  God,  nor  in  the  last  day, 
and  forbid  not  that  which  God  and  his 
apostle  have  forbidden,  and  profess  not 
the  true  religion,  of  those  unto  whom  the 
scriptures  have  been  delivered,  until  they 
pay  tribute  by  right  of  subjection,  and 
they  be  reduced. 

The  Jews  say,  Ezra  is  the  son  of 
Goda:  and  the  Christians  say,  Christ  is 
the  son  of  God.  This  is  their  saying 
in  their  mouths  :  They  imitate  the  saying 
of  those  who  were  unbelievers  in  former 
times.  May  God  resist  them.  How 
are  they  infatuated !  They  take  their 
priests  and  their  monks  for  their  lords, 
besides  God,  and  Christ  the  son  of 
137 


Mary ;  although  they  are  commanded 
to  worship  one  God  only :  there  is  no 
God  but  he ;  far  be  that  from  him,  which 
they  associate  with  him  ! 

They  seek  to  extinguish  the  light  of 
God  with  their  mouths ;  but  God  wills  no 
other  than  to  perfect  his  light,  although 
the  infidels  be  averse  thereto.  It  is  he 
who  has  sent  his  apostle  with  the  direc- 
tion, and  true  religion :  that  he  may 
cause  it  to  appear  superior  to  every  other 
religion ;  although  the  idolaters  be  averse 
thereto.  O  true  believers,  verily  many 
of  the  priests  and  monks  devour  the 
substance  of  men  in  vanity,  and  obstruct 
the  way  of  God.  But  unto  those  who 
treasure  up  gold  and  silver,  and  employ 
it  not  for  the  advancement  of  God's  true 
religion,  denounce  a  grievous  punish- 
ment. On  the  day  of  judgment  their 
treasures  shall  be  intensely  heated  in  the 
fire  of  hell,  and  their  foreheads,  and  their 
sides,  and  their  backs  shall  be  stigma- 
tized therewith;  and  their  tormentors 
shall  say,  This  is  what  you  have  treas- 
ured up  for  your  souls ;  taste  therefore 
that  which  you  have  treasured  up. 

138 


CALL    TO    WAR 

Unless  you  go  forth  when  you  are 
summoned  to  war,  God  will  punish  you 
with  a  grievous  punishment ;  and  he  will 
place  another  people  in  your  stead,  and 
you  shall  not  hurt  him  at  all ;  for  God  is 
almighty.  If  you  assist  not  the  prophet, 
verily  God  will  assist  him,  as  he  assisted 
him  formerly,  when  the  unbelievers 
drove  him  out  of  Mecca,  the  second  of 
two  :  when  they  were  both  in  the  cave  : 
when  he  said  unto  his  companion.  Be 
not  grieved,  for  God  is  with  us.  And 
God  sent  down  his  security  upon  him, 
and  strengthened  him  with  armies  of 
angels,  whom  you  saw  not.  And  he 
made  the  word  of  those  who  believed  not 
to  be  abased,  and  the  word  of  God  was 
exalted :  for  God  is  mighty  and  wise. 
Go  forth  to  battle,  both  light  and  heavy, 
and  employ  your  substance  and  your 
persons  for  the  advancement  of  God*s 
religion.  This  will  be  better  for  you, 
if  you  know  it. 

If  it  had  been  a  near  advantage  and  a 
moderate  journey,  they  had  surely  fol- 
139 


lowed  thee ;  but  the  way  seemed  tedious 
unto  them :  and  yet  they  will  swear  by 
God,  saying,  If  we  had  been  able,  we 
had  surely  gone  forth  with  you.  They 
destroy  their  own  souls ;  for  God  knows 
that  they  are  liars. 

They  who  believe  in  God  and  the 
last  day,  will  not  ask  leave  of  thee  to  be 
excused  from  employing  their  substance 
and  their  persons  for  the  advancement 
of  God's  true  religion  ;  and  God  knows 
those  who  fear  him.  Verily  they  only 
will  ask  leave  of  thee  to  stay  behind, 
who  believe  not  in  God  and  the  last  day, 
and  whose  hearts  doubt  concerning  the 
faith :  wherefore  they  are  tossed  to  and 
fro  in  their  doubting.  If  they  had  been 
willing  to  go  forth  with  thee,  they  had 
certainly  prepared  for  that  purpose  a 
provision  of  arms  and  necessaries :  but 
God  was  averse  to  their  going  forth; 
wherefore  he  rendered  them  slothful, 
and  it  was  said  unto  them,  Sit  still  with 
those  who  sit  still.  If  they  had  gone  forth 
with  you,  they  had  only  been  a  burden 
unto  you,  and  had  run  to  and  fro  be- 
tween you,  stirring  you  up  to  sedi- 
140 


tion ;  and  there  would  have  been  some 
among    you    who    would    have    given 


ear   unto    them 
wicked. 


and    God   knows  the 


141 


ALMSGIVING 

Alms  are  to  be  distributed  only  unto 
the  poor  and  the  needy,  and  those  who 
are  employed  in  collecting  and  distribu- 
ting the  same,  and  unto  those  whose 
hearts  are  reconciled,  and  for  the  re- 
demption of  captives,  and  unto  those 
who  are  in  debt  and  insolvent,  and  for 
the  advancement  of  God's  religion,  and 
unto  the  traveller.  This  is  an  ordinance 
142 


from  God :  and  God  is  knowing  and 
wise. 

There  are  some  of  them  who  injure 
the  prophet,  and  say,  He  is  an  ear : 
Answer,  he  is  an  ear  of  good  unto  you : 
he  believes  in  God,  and  gives  credit  to 
the  faithful,  and  is  a  mercy  unto  such 
of  you  who  believe.  But  they  who 
injure  the  apostle  of  God,  shall  suffer 
a  painful  punishment.  They  swear  unto 
you  by  God,  that  they  may  please  you ; 
but  it  is  more  just  that  they  should 
please  God  and  his  apostle,  if  they  are 
true  believers.  Do  they  not  know  that 
he  who  opposes  God  and  his  apostle, 
shall  without  doubt  be  punished  with 
the  fire  of  hell ;  and  shall  remain  therein 
for  ever  ?     This  will  be  great  ignominy. 

Hypocritical  men  and  women  are  the 
one  of  them  or  the  other :  they  command 
that  which  is  evil,  and  forbid  that  which 
is  just,  and  shut  their  hands  from  giving 
alms.  They  have  forgotten  God; 
wherefore  he  has  forgotten  them  :  verily 
the  hypocrites  are  those  who  act  wickedly. 
God  denounces  unto  the  hypocrites,  both 
men  and  women,  and  to  the  unbelievers, 
143 


the  fire  of  hell ;  they  shall  remain  therein 
for  ever ;  this  will  be  their  sufficient  re- 
ward ;  God  has  cursed  them,  and  they 
shall  endure  a  lasting  torment.  As  they 
who  have  been  before  you,  so  arc  you. 
They  were  superior  to  you  in  strength, 
and  had  more  abundance  of  wealth  and 
of  children ;  and  they  enjoyed  their  por- 
tion in  this  world  j  and  you  also  enjoy 
your  portion  here,  as  they  who  have  pre- 
ceded you  enjoyed  their  portion.  And 
you  engaged  yourselves  in  vain  dis- 
courses, like  unto  those  wherein  they 
engaged  themselves.  The  works  of 
these  are  vain  both  in  this  world  and 
that  which  is  to  come;  and  these  are 
they  who  perish.  Have  they  not  been 
acquainted  with  the  history  of  those  who 
have  been  before  them  ?  of  the  people 
of  Noah,  and  of  Ad,  and  of  Thamud, 
and  of  the  people  of  Abraham,  and  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Madian,  and  of  the 
cities  which  were  overthrown  ?  Their 
apostles  came  unto  them  with  evident 
demonstrations :  and  God  was  not  dis- 
posed to  treat  them  unjustly ;  but  they 
dealt  unjustly  with  their  own  souls. 
144 


And  the  faithful  men  and  the  faithful 
women  are  friends  one  to  another :  they 
command  that  which  is  just,  and  they 
forbid  that  which  is  evil ;  and  they  are 
constant  at  prayer,  and  pay  their  ap- 
pointed alms ;  and  they  obey  God  and 
his  apostle :  unto  these  will  God  be 
merciful ;  for  he  is  mighty  and  wise. 
God  promises  unto  the  true  believers, 
both  men  and  women,  gardens  through 
which  rivers  flow,  wherein  they  shall 
remain  for  ever ;  and  delicious  dwellings 
in  gardens  of  perpetual  abode ;  but  good- 
will from  God  shall  be  their  most  excel- 
lent reward.     This  will  be  great  felicity. 

O  prophet,  wage  war  against  the 
unbelievers  and  the  hypocrites,  and  be 
severe  unto  them  :  for  their  dwelling  shall 
be  hell ;  an  unhappy  journey  shall  it  be 
thither !  They  swear  by  God  that  they 
said  not  what  they  are  charged  with : 
yet  they  spake  the  word  of  infidelity, 
and  became  unbelievers,  after  they  had 
embraced  Islam.  And  they  designed 
that  which  they  could  not  effect;  and 
they  did  not  disapprove  the  design  for 
any  other  reason,  than  because  God  and 
145 


his  apostle  had  enriched  them,  of  his 
bounty.  If  they  repent,  it  will  be  better 
for  them ;  but  if  they  relapse,  God  will 
punish  them  with  a  grievous  torment,  in 
this  world  and  in  the  next;  and  they 
shall  have  no  patron  on  earth,  nor  any 
protector. 

There  are  some  of  them  who  made  a 
covenant  with  God,  saying.  Verily  if  he 
give  us  of  his  abundance,  we  will  give 
alms,  and  become  righteous  people. 
Yet  when  he  had  given  unto  them  of 
his  abundance,  they  became  covetous 
thereof,  and  turned  back,  and  retired  afar 
off.  Wherefore  he  has  caused  hypoc- 
risy to  succeed  in  their  hearts,  until  the 
day  whereon  they  shall  meet  him;  be- 
cause they  failed  to  perform  unto  God 
that  which  they  had  promised  him,  and 
for  that  they  prevaricated. 

Do  they  not  know  that  God  knows 
whatever  they  conceal,  and  their  private 
discourses ;  and  that  God  is  the  knower 
of  secrets  ?  They  who  traduce  such  of 
the  believers  as  are  liberal  in  giving  alms 
beyond  what  they  are  obliged,  and  those 
who  find  nothing  to  give  but  what  they 
146 


gain  by  their  industry ;  and  therefore 
scofF  at  them  :  God  shall  scofF  at  them, 
and  they  shall  suffer  a  grievous  punish- 
ment. Ask  forgiveness  for  them,  or  do 
not  ask  forgiveness  for  them,  it  will  be 
equal.  If  thou  ask  forgiveness  for  them 
seventy  times,  God  virill  by  no  means 
forgive  them.  This  is  the  divine  pleas- 
ure, because  they  believe  not  in  God 
and  his  apostle. 

ACTIONS    GOOD    AND    EVIL 

Others  have  acknowledged  their  crimes. 
They  have  mixed  a  good  action  with 
another  which  is  bad :  peradventure 
God  will  be  turned  unto  them;  for 
God  is  gracious  and  merciful.  Take 
alms  of  their  substance,  that  thou 
mayest  cleanse  them  and  purify  them 
thereby ;  and  pray  for  them :  for  thy 
prayers  shall  be  a  security  of  mind  unto 
them ;  and  God  both  hears  and  knows. 
Do  they  not  know  that  God  accepts 
repentance  from  his  servants,  and  accepts 
alms ;  and  that  God  is  easy  to  be  recon- 
ciled and  merciful  ?  Say  unto  them, 
147 


Work  as  you  will ;  but  God  will  behold 
your  work,  and  his  apostle  also,  and  the 
true  believers :  and  you  shall  be  brought 
before  him  who  knows  that  which  is 
kept  secret,  and  that  which  is  made 
public;  and  he  will  declare  unto  you 
whatever  you  have  done.  And  there 
are  others  who  wait  with  suspense  the 
decree  of  God ;  whether  he  will  punish 
them,  or  whether  he  will  be  turned  unto 
them :  but  God  is  knowing  and  wise. 

There  are  some  who  have  built  a 
temple  to  hurt  the  faithful,  and  to 
propagate  infidelity,  and  to  foment  divi- 
sion among  the  true  believers,  and  for  a 
lurking-place  for  him  who  has  fought 
against  God  and  his  apostle  in  time  past ; 
and  they  swear,  saying.  Verily  we  in- 
tended no  other  than  to  do  for  the  best : 
but  God  is  witness  that  they  do  certainly 
lie.    Stand  not  up  to  pray  therein  for  ever. 

There  is  a  temple  founded  on  piety, 
from  the  first  day  of  its  building.  It  is 
more  just  that  thou  stand  up  to  pray 
therein :  therein  are  men  who  love  to  be 
purified;  for  God  loves  the  clean. 
Whether  therefore  is  he  better,  who  has 
148 


founded  his  building  on  the  fear  of  God 
and  his  goodwill ;  or  he  who  has  founded 
his  building  on  the  brink  of  a  bank  of 
earth  which  is  washed  away  by  waters, 
so  that  it  falls  with  him  into  the  fire  of 
hell  ?  God  directs  not  the  ungodly 
people.  Their  building  which  they 
have  built  will  not  cease  to  be  an  occa- 
sion of  doubting  in  their  hearts,  until 
their  hearts  be  cut  in  pieces ;  and  God  is 
knowing  and  wise.  Verily  God  has  pur- 
chased of  the  true  believers  their  souls  and 
their  substance,  promising  them  the  en- 
joyment of  paradise ;  on  condition  that 
they  fight  for  the  cause  of  God  ;  whether 
they  slay  or  be  slain,  the  promise 
for  the  same  is  assuredly  due  by  the  law, 
and  the  gospel,  and  the  Koran.  And 
who  performs  his  contract  more  faith- 
fully than  God  ?  Rejoice  therefore  in 
the  contract  which  you  have  made. 
This  shall  be  great  happiness. 

The  penitent,  and  those  who  serve 
God,  and  praise  him,  and  who  fast,  and 
bow  down,  and  worship  ;  and  who  com- 
mand that  which  is  just,  and  forbid  that 
which  is  evil,  and  keep  the  ordinances 
149 


of  God,  shall  likewise  be  rewarded  with 
paradise :  wherefore  bear  good  tidings 
unto  the  faithful. 


PRAYERS 

It  is  not  allowed  unto  the  prophet,  or 
those  who  are  true  believers,  that  they 
pray  for  idolaters,  although  they  be  of 
kin,  after  it  is  become  known  unto  them, 
that  they  are  inhabitants  of  hell.  Neither 
did  Abraham  ask  forgiveness  for  his  father, 
otherwise  than  in  pursuance  of  a  promise 
which  he  had  promised  unto  him  :  but 
when  it  became  known  unto  him,  that  he 
was  an  enemy  unto  God,  he  declared 
himself  clear  of  him.  Verily  Abraham 
was  pitiful  and  compassionate.  Nor  is 
God  disposed  to  lead  people  into  error, 
after  he  has  directed  them,  until  that 
which  they  ought  to  avoid  is  become 
known  unto  them ;  for  God  knows  all 
things.  Verily  unto  God  belongs  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  and  of  earth ;  he 
gives  life,  and  he  causes  to  die ;  and  you 
have  no  patron  or  helper  besides  God. 

150 


DUTY    OF    BELIEVERS 

O  true  believers,  fear  God,  and  be 
with  the  sincere.  There  was  no  reason 
why  the  inhabitants  of  Medina,  and  the 
Arabs  of  the  desert  who  dwell  around 
them,  should  stay  behind  the  apostle  of 
God,  or  should  prefer  themselves  before 
him.  This  is  unreasonable :  because 
they  are  not  distressed  either  by  thirst 
or  labour  or  hunger,  for  the  defence  of 
God*s  true  religion ;  neither  do  they  stir 
a  step,  which  may  irritate  the  unbelievers ; 
neither  do  they  receive  from  the  enemy 
any  damage,  but  a  good  work  is  written 
down  unto  them  for  the  same ;  for  God 
suffers  not  the  reward  of  the  righteous 
to  perish.  And  they  contribute  not  any 
sum  either  small  or  great,  nor  do  they 
pass  a  valley,  but  it  is  written  down  unto 
them,  that  God  may  reward  them  with 
a  recompense  exceeding  that  which  they 
have  wrought.  The  believers  are  not 
obliged  to  go  forth  to  war  all  together : 
if  a  part  of  every  band  of  them  go  not 
forth,  it  is  that  they  may  diligently  in- 
struct themselves  in  their  religion ;   and 

151 


may  admonish  their  people,  when  they 
return  unto  them,  that  they  may  take 
heed  to  themselves.  O  true  believers, 
wage  war  against  such  of  the  infidels  as 
are  near  you ;  and  let  them  find  severity 
in  you :  and  know  that  God  is  with 
those  who  fear  him. 


152 


y^-'ili:tk      ^^^ 

•M 

M^ 

1  . 

■'^k 

li!i^^^^ 

p/ 

•,,,1 

r  PiUtt^M--  ■. 

i\\  X .» 

■J  t!- 

FAITH    AND    DOUBT 


Whenever  a  Sura  is  sent  down,  there 
are  some  of  them  who  say,  Which  of 
you  has  this  caused  to  increase  in  faith  ? 
It  will  increase  the  faith  of  those  who 
believe,  and  they  shall  rejoice :  but  unto 
those  in  whose  hearts  there  is  an  infirmity, 
it  will  add  farther  doubt  unto  their  present 
doubt ;  and  they  shall  die  in  their  infidel- 
ity. Do  they  not  see  that  they  are  tried 
every  year  once  or  twice  ?  Yet  they 
153 


repent  not,  neither  are  they  warned. 
And  whenever  a  Sura  is  sent  down,  they 
look  at  one  another,  saying,  Does  anyone 
see  you  ?     Then  do  they  turn  aside. 

God  shall  turn  aside  their  hearts  from 
the  truth  ;  because  they  are  a  people  who 
do  not  understand.  Now  has  an  apos- 
tle come  unto  you  of  our  own  nation,  an 
excellent  person  :  it  is  grievous  unto  him 
that  you  commit  wickedness ;  he  is  care- 
ful over  you,  and  compassionate  and 
merciful  toward  the  believers.  If  they 
turn  back,  say,  God  is  my  support :  there 
is  no  God  but  he.  On  him  do  I  trust ; 
and  he  is  the  Lord  of  the  magnificent 
throne. 

TIMES    AND    SEASONS 

Verily  your  Lord  is  God,  who  created 
the  heavens  and  the  earth  in  six  days; 
and  then  ascended  his  throne,  to  take 
on  himself  the  government  of  all  things. 
There  is  no  intercessor,  but  by  his  per- 
mission. This  is  God,  your  Lord  ;  there- 
fore serve  him.  Will  you  not  consider  ? 
Unto  him  shall  you  all  return,  according 
154 


to  the  certain  promise  of  God ;  for  he 
produces  a  creature,  and  then  causes  it 
to  return  again ;  that  he  may  reward 
those  who  believe  and  do  that  which  is 
right,  with  equity. 

But  as  for  the  unbelievers,  they  shall 
drink  boiling  water,  and  they  shall  suffer 
a  grievous  punishment,  because  they  have 
disbelieved.  It  is  he  who  has  ordained 
the  sun  to  shine  by  day,  and  the  moon 
for  a  light  by  night ;  and  has  appointed 
her  stations,  that  you  might  know  the 
number  of  years,  and  the  computation  of 
time.  God  has  not  created  this,  but  with 
truth.  He  explains  his  signs  unto  people 
who  understand.  Moreover  in  the  vicis- 
situde of  night  and  day,  and  whatever 
God  has  created  in  heaven  and  earth,  are 
surely  signs  unto  men  who  fear  h'lm. 
Verily  they  who  hope  not  to  meet  us  at 
the  last  day,  and  delight  in  this  present 
life,  and  rest  securely  in  the  same,  and 
who  are  negligent  of  our  signs,  their  dwell- 
ing shall  be  hell  fire,  for  that  which  they 
have  deserved.  But  as  to  those  who 
believe,  and  work  righteousness,  their 
Lord  will  direct  them  because  of  their 

155 


faith;  they  shall  have  rivers  flowing 
through  gardens  of  pleasure.  Their 
prayer  therein  shall  be,  Praise  be  unto 
thee,  O  God  !  and  their  salutation  therein 
shall  be.  Peace !  and  the  end  of  their 
prayer  shall  be.  Praise  be  unto  God,  the 
Lord  of  all  creatures !  If  God  should 
cause  evil  to  hasten  unto  men,  accord- 
ing to  their  desire  of  hastening  good, 
verily  their  end  had  been  decreed. 
Wherefore  we  suffer  those  who  hope  not 
to  meet  us  at  the  resurrection,  to  wander 
amazedly  in  their  error. 

INGRATITUDE 

When  evil  befalls  a  man ;  he  prays 
unto  us  lying  on  his  side,  or  sitting,  or 
standing :  but  when  we  deliver  him  from 
his  affliction,  he  continues  his  former 
course  of  life,  as  if  he  had  not  called 
upon  us  to  defend  him  against  the  evil 
which  had  befallen  him.  Thus  was  that 
which  the  transgressors  committed  pre- 
pared for  them.  We  formerly  destroyed 
the  generations  who  were  before  you,  O 
men  of  Mecca,  when  they  had  acted  un- 

156 


justly,  and  our  apostles  had  come  unto 
them  with  evident  miracles,  and  they 
would  not  believe.  Thus  do  we  reward 
the  wicked  people.  Afterwards  did  we 
cause  you  to  succeed  them  in  the  earth ; 
that  we  might  see  how  you  would  act. 

When  our  evident  signs  are  recited 
unto  them,  they  who  hope  not  to  meet 
us  at  the  resurrection,  say.  Bring  a  differ- 
ent Koran  from  this;  or  make  some 
change  therein.  Answer,  It  is  not  fit 
for  me,  that  I  should  change  it  at  my 
pleasure :  I  follow  that  only  which  is 
revealed  unto  me, 

THE    REVELATION 

Verily  I  fear,  if  I  should  be  disobedient 
unto  my  Lord,  the  punishment  of  the 
great  day.  Say,  If  God  had  so  pleased, 
I  had  not  read  it  unto  you,  neither  had 
I  taught  you  the  same.  I  have  already 
dwelt  among  you  to  the  age  of  forty 
years,  before  I  received  it.  Do  you 
not  therefore  understand  ?  And  who 
is  more  unjust  than  he  who  devises  a 
lie    against    God,  or   accuses    his  signs 


of  falsehood  ?    Surely  the  wicked  shall 
not  prosper. 

PRAYER    IN    DANGER 

Verily  that  which  is  hidden  is  known 
only  unto  God  :  wait  therefore  the  pleas- 
ure of  God  J  and  I  also  will  wait  for  you. 
...  It  is  he  who  has  given  you  con- 
veniences for  travelling  by  land  and  by 
sea ;  so  that  you  are  in  ships,  which  sail 
with  them  with  a  favourable  wind,  and 
they  rejoice  therein.  And  when  a  tem- 
pestuous wind  overtakes  them,  and  waves 
come  upon  them  from  every  side,  and 
they  think  themselves  to  be  encom- 
passed with  inevitable  dangers ;  they  call 
upon  God,  exhibiting  the  pure  religion 
unto  him,  and  saying.  Verily,  if  thou  de- 
liver us  from  this  peril,  we  will  be  of 
those  who  give  thanks.  But  when  he 
has  delivered  them,  behold,  they  behave 
themselves  insolently  in  the  earth,  with- 
out justice.  O  men.  Verily  the  violence 
which  you  commit  against  your  own 
souls,  is  for  the  enjoyment  of  this  pres- 
ent life  only;  afterwards  unto  us  shall 

158 


you  return,  and  we  will  declare  unto  you 
that  which  you  have  done. 


THE    PRESENT    LIFE 

Verily  the  likeness  of  this  present  life 
is  no  other  than  as  water,  which  we 
send  down  from  heaven,  and  wherewith 
the  productions  of  the  earth  are  mixed, 
of  which  men  eat,  and  cattle  also,  until 
the  earth  receive  its  vesture,  and  be 
adorned  with  various  plants :  the  inhab- 
itants thereof  imagine  that  they  have 
power  over  the  same ;  but  our  command 
comes  unto  it  by  night  or  by  day,  and 
we  render  it  as  if  it  had  been  mown,  as 
if  it  had  not  yesterday  abounded  with 
fruits.  Thus  do  we  explain  our  signs 
unto  people  who  consider. 

God  invites  unto  the  dwelling  of 
peace,  and  directs  whom  he  pleases  into 
the  right  way.  They  who  do  right  shall 
receive  a  most  excellent  reward,  and  a 
superabundant  addition ;  neither  black- 
ness nor  shame  shall  cover  their  faces. 
These  shall  be  the  inhabitants  of  para- 
dise ;  they  shall  continue  therein  for  ever. 

159 


But  they  who  commit  evil  shall  re- 
ceive the  reward  of  evil,  equal  thereunto, 
and  they  shall  be  covered  with  shame 
(for  they  shall  have  no  protector  against 
God)  J  as  if  their  faces  were  covered 
with  the  profound  darkness  of  the  night. 
These  shall  be  the  inhabitants  of  hell 
fire ;  they  shall  remain  therein  for  ever. 

On  the  day  of  the  resurrection  wc  will 
gather  them  all  together;  then  will  we 
say  unto  the  idolaters.  Get  you  to  your 
place,  you  and  your  idols :  and  we  will 
separate  them  from  one  another ;  and 
their  idols  shall  say  unto  them.  You  did 
not  worship  us ;  and  God  is  a  sufficient 
witness  between  us  and  you ;  neither  did 
we  mind  your  worshipping  of  us.  There 
shall  every  soul  experience  that  which  it 
shall  have  sent  before  it ;  and  they  shall 
be  brought  before  God,  their  true  Lord ; 
and  the  false  deities  which  they  vainly 
imagined,  shall  disappear  from  before 
them. 

Say,  Who  provides  you  food  from 
heaven  and  earth  ?  or  who  has  the  abso- 
lute power  over  the  hearing  and  the 
sight  ?  and  who  brings  forth  the  living 
l6o 


from  the  dead,  and  brings  forth  the  dead 
from  the  living?  and  who  governs  all 
things  ? 

They  will  surely  answer,  God. 

Say,  Will  ye  not  therefore  fear  him  ? 
This  is  therefore  God,  your  true  Lord : 
and  what  remains  there  after  truth,  ex- 
cept error  ?  How  therefore  are  you 
turned  aside  from  the  truth?  Thus  is 
the  word  of  thy  Lord  verified  upon  them 
who  do  wickedly;  that  they  believe 
not. 

Say,  Is  there  any  of  your  idols  who 
produces  a  creature,  and  then  causes  it 
to  return  unto  himself?  Say,  God  pro- 
duces a  creature,  and  then  causes  it  to 
return  unto  himself.  How  therefore  are 
you  turned  aside  from  his  worship  ?  Say, 
Is  there  any  of  your  idols  who  directs 
unto  the  truth  ?  Say,  God  directs  unto 
the  truth.  Whether  is  he  therefore,  who 
directs  unto  the  truth,  more  worthy  to 
be  followed ;  or  he  who  directs  not,  un- 
less he  be  directed?  What  ails  you, 
therefore,  that  you  judge  as  you  do  ? 
And  the  greater  part  of  them  follow  an 
uncertain  opinion  only ;  but  a  mere  opin- 
I6l 


ion  attains  not  unto  any  truth.     Verily 
God  knows  that  which  they  do. 


THE    KORAN 

This  Koran  could  not  have  been  com- 
posed by  any  except  God;  but  it  is  a 
confirmation  of  that  which  was  revealed 
before  it,  and  an  explanation  of  the 
scripture;  there  is  no  doubt  thereof; 
sent  down  from  the  Lord  of  all  crea- 
tures. Will  they  say,  Mohammed  forged 
it  ?  Answer,  Bring  a  chapter  like  unto 
it ;  and  call  whom  you  may  to  your  as- 
sistance, besides  God,  if  you  speak  truth. 

But  they  have  charged  that  with  false- 
hood, the  knowledge  whereof  they  do 
not  comprehend,  neither  has  the  inter- 
pretation thereof  come  unto  them.  In 
the  same  manner  did  those  who  were 
before  them,  accuse  their  prophets  of 
imposture ;  but  behold  what  was  the 
end  of  the  unjust.  There  are  some 
of  them  who  believe  therein ;  and  there 
are  some  of  them  who  believe  not  there- 
in ;  and  thy  Lord  well  knows  the  corrupt 
doers. 

162 


If  they  accuse  thee  of  imposture,  say, 
I  have  my  work,  and  you  have  your 
work ;  you  shall  be  clear  of  that  which 
I  do,  and  I  will  be  clear  of  that  which 
you  do.  There  are  some  of  them  who 
hearken  unto  thee  j  but  wilt  thou  make 
the  deaf  to  hear,  although  they  do  not 
understand  ?  And  there  are  some  of 
them  who  look  at  thee ;  but  wilt  thou 
direct  the  blind,  although  they  see  not  ? 

Verily  God  will  not  deal  unjustly  with 
men  in  any  respect :  but  men  deal  un- 
justly with  their  own  souls.  On  a  certain 
day  he  will  gather  them  together,  as  if 
they  had  not  tarried  above  an  hour  of  a 
day  :  they  shall  know  one  another.  Then 
shall  they  perish  who  have  denied  the 
meeting  of  God,  and  were  not  rightly 
directed.  Whether  we  cause  thee  to  see 
a  part  of  the  punishment  wherewith 
we  have  threatened  them,  or  whether  we 
cause  thee  to  die  before  thou  see  it ;  unto 
us  shall  they  return  :  then  shall  God  be 
witness  of  that  which  they  do. 

Unto  every  nation  has  an  apostle  been 
sent :  and  when  their  apostle  came,  the 
matter  was  decided  between  them  with 
163 


equity;  and  they  were  not  treated  un- 
justly. The  unbelievers  say,  When  will 
this  threatening  be  made  good,  if  ye  speak 
truth  ? 


164 


1 

^w 

1 

H 

THE   COMING   AWARD 

Answer,  I  am  able  neither  to  procure 
advantage  unto  myself,  nor  to  avert 
mischief  from  me,  but  as  God  pleases. 
Unto  every  nation  is  a  fixed  term  de- 
creed; when  their  term  therefore  is 
expired,  they  shall  not  have  respite  for 
an  hour,  neither  shall  their  punishment 
be  anticipated. 

Say,  Tell  me ;  if  the  punishment  of 
God  overtake  you  by  night,  or  by  day, 
165 


what  part  thereof  will  the  ungodly  wish 
to  be  hastened  ?  When  it  falls  on  you, 
do  you  then  believe  it  ?  Now  believe, 
and  wish  it  far  from  you,  when  as  you 
formerly  desired  it  should  be  hastened  ? 
Then  shall  it  be  said  unto  the  wicked. 
Taste  the  punishment  of  eternity  :  would 
you  receive  other  than  the  reward  of  that 
which  you  have  wrought  ?  They  will 
desire  to  know  of  thee  whether  this  be 
true.  Answer,  Yea,  by  my  Lord,  it  is 
certainly  true ;  neither  shall  you  weaken 
God's  power,  so  as  to  escape  it.  Verily, 
if  every  soul  which  has  acted  wickedly 
had  whatever  is  on  the  earth,  it  would 
willingly  redeem  itself  therewith  at  the 
last  day.  Yet  they  will  conceal  their 
repentance,  after  they  shall  have  seen 
the  punishment :  and  the  matter  shall  be 
decided  between  them  with  equity;  and 
they  shall  not  be  unjustly  treated.  Does 
not  whatsoever  is  in  heaven  and  on  earth 
belong  unto  God  ?  Is  not  the  promise 
of  God  true  ?  But  the  greater  part  of 
them  know  it  not.  He  gives  life,  and 
he  causes  to  die ;  and  unto  him  shall  ye 
all  return.  O  men,  now  hath  an  admo- 
166 


nition  come  unto  you  from  your  Lord, 
and  a  remedy  for  the  doubts  which  are 
in  your  breasts;  and  a  direction,  and 
mercy  unto  the  true  believers. 

Say,  Through  the  grace  of  God,  and 
his  mercy :  therein  therefore  let  them 
rejoice;  this  will  be  better  than  what 
they  heap  together  of  worldly  riches. 

god's  beneficence 

Verily  God  is  endued  with  beneficence 
toward  mankind ;  but  the  greater  part  of 
them  do  not  give  thanks.  Thou  shalt  be 
engaged  in  no  business,  neither  shalt  thou 
be  employed  in  meditating  on  any  pas- 
sage of  the  Koran  ;  nor  shalt  thou  do 
any  action,  but  we  will  be  witnesses 
over  thee,  when  thou  art  employed 
therein. 

Nor  is  so  much  as  the  weight  of  an  ant 
hidden  from  thy  Lord,  in  earth  or  in 
heaven :  neither  is  there  anything  lesser 
than  that,  or  greater,  but  it  is  written 
in  the  perspicuous  book.  Are  not  the 
friends  of  God  the  persons,  on  whom  no 
fear  shall  come,  and  who  shall  not  be 
167 


grieved  ?  They  who  believe  and  fear 
God,  shall  receive  good  tidings  in  this 
life  and  in  that  which  is  to  come.  There 
is  no  change  in  the  words  of  God.  This 
shall  be  great  felicity.  Let  not  their 
discourse  grieve  thee ;  for  all  might  be- 
longs unto  God :  he  both  hears  and 
knows.  Is  not  whoever  dwells  in  heaven 
and  on  earth,  subject  unto  God  ?  What 
therefore  do  they  follow,  who  invoke 
idols,  besides  God  ?  They  follow  nothing 
but  a  vain  opinion  j  and  they  only  utter 
lies.  It  is  he  who  has  ordained  the  night 
for  you,  that  you  may  take  your  rest 
therein,  and  the  clear  day  for  labour: 
verily  herein  are  signs  unto  people  who 
hearken. 

They  say,  God  has  begotten  children  : 
God  forbid  !  He  is  self-sufficient.  Unto 
him  belongs  whatsoever  is  in  heaven  and 
on  earth :  you  have  no  demonstrative 
proof  of  this.  Do  you  speak  of  God 
that  which  you  know  not  ? 

Say,  Verily  they  who  imagine  a  lie  con- 
cerning God,  shall  not  prosper.  They 
may  enjoy  a  provision  in  this  world ;  but 
afterwards  unto  us  shall  they  return,  and 
1 68 


we  will  then  cause  them  to  taste  a  griev- 
ous punishment,  because  they  were  un- 
believers. 


MIRACLES   AND    BELIEF 

Verily  those  against  whom  the  word 
of  thy  Lord  is  decreed,  shall  not  believe, 
although  there  come  unto  them  every 
kind  of  miracle;  until  they  see  the 
grievous  punishment  prepared  for  them. 
And  if  it  were  not  so,  some  city,  among 
the  many  which  have  been  destroyed, 
would  have  believed;  and  the  faith  of 
its  inhabitants  would  have  been  of  ad- 
vantage unto  them :  but  none  of  them 
believed  before  the  execution  of  their 
sentence,  except  the  people  of  Nineveh. 
When  they  believed,  we  delivered  them 
from  the  punishment  of  shame  in  this 
world,  and  suffered  them  to  enjoy  their 
lives  and  possessions  for  a  time.  But  if 
thy  Lord  had  pleased,  verily  all  who  are 
in  the  earth  would  have  believed  in  gen- 
eral. Wilt  thou  therefore  forcibly  compel 
men  to  be  true  believers  ?  No  soul  can 
believe  but  by  the  permission  of  God : 
169 


and  he  shall  pour  out  his  indignation  on 
those  who  will  not  understand. 

Say,  Consider  whatever  is  in  heaven 
and  on  earth :  but  signs  are  of  no  avail, 
neither  preachers,  unto  people  who  will 
not  believe.  Do  they  therefore  expect 
any  other  than  some  terrible  judgment, 
like  unto  the  judgments  which  have  fallen 
on  those  who  have  gone  before  them  ? 

Say,  Wait  ye  the  issue ;  and  I  also  will 
wait  with  you  :  then  will  we  deliver  our 
apostles  and  those  who  believe.  Thus  is 
it  a  justice  due  from  us,  that  we  should 
deliver  the  true  believers. 


THE    WORKS    OF    GOD 

God  raised  the  heavens  without  visible 
pillars ;  and  then  ascended  his  throne, 
and  compelled  the  sun  and  the  moon 
to  perform  their  services :  every  of  the 
heavenly  bodies  runs  an  appointed  course. 
He  orders  all  things.  He  shows  his  signs 
distinctly,  that  you  may  be  assured  you 
must  meet  your  Lord  at  the  last  day. 
He  stretched  forth  the  earth,  and  placed 
therein  steadfast  mountains,  and  rivers ; 
170 


and  ordained  therein  of  every  fruit  two 
different  kinds.  He  causes  the  night  to 
cover  the  day. 

Herein  are  certain  signs  unto  people 
who  consider.  And  in  the  earth  are 
tracts  of  land  of  different  natures,  though 
bordering  on  each  other;  and  also  vine- 
yards, and  seeds,  and  palm-trees  springing 
several  from  the  same  root,  and  singly 
from  distinct  roots.  They  are  watered 
with  the  same  water,  yet  we  render  some 
of  them  more  excellent  than  others  to  eat. 

Herein  are  surely  signs  unto  people 
who  understand.  If  thou  dost  wonder  at 
the  infidels  denying  the  resurrection, 
surely  wonderful  is  their  saying.  After  we 
shall  have  been  reduced  to  dust,  shall  we 
be  restored  in  a  new  creature  ?  These  are 
they  who  believe  not  in  their  Lord  ; 
these  shall  have  collars  on  their  necks, 
and  these  shall  be  the  inhabitants  of  hell 
fire :  therein  shall  they  abide  for  ever. 

They  will  ask  of  thee  to  hasten  evil 
rather  than  good :  although  there  have 
already  been  examples  of  the  divine  ven- 
geance before  them.  Thy  Lord  is  surely 
endued  with  indulgence  toward  men,  not- 
i;i 


withstanding  their  iniquity  ;  but  thy  Lord 
is  also  severe  in  punishing.  The  infidels 
say,  Unless  a  sign  be  sent  down  unto 
him  from  his  Lord,  we  will  not  believe. 

Thou  art  commissioned  to  be  a 
preacher  only,  and  not  a  worker  of  mira- 
cles :  and  unto  every  people  has  a  director 
been  appointed.  God  knows  what  every 
female  bears  in  her  womb ;  and  what  the 
wombs  want  or  exceed  of  their  due  time, 
or  number  of  young.  With  him  is  every- 
thing regulated  according  to  a  determined 
measure.  He  knows  that  which  is  hidden, 
and  that  which  is  revealed.  He  is  the 
great,  the  most  high. 

He  among  you  who  conceals  his  words, 
and  he  who  proclaims  them  in  public  ;  he 
also  who  seeks  to  hide  himself  in  the 
night,  and  he  who  goes  forth  openly  in 
the  day,  is  equal  in  respect  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  God.  Each  of  them  has  angels 
mutually  succeeding  each  other,  before 
him,  and  behind  him ;  they  watch  him 
by  the  command  of  God.  Verily  God 
will  not  change  his  grace  which  is  in  men, 
until  they  change  the  disposition  in  their 
souls  by  sin.  When  God  wills  evil  on  a 
'  172 


people,  there  shall  be  none  to  avert  it ; 
neither  shall  they  have  any  protector 
beside  him.  He  causes  the  lightning  to 
appear  unto  you,  to  strike  fear,  and  to 
raise  hope,  and  he  forms  the  pregnant 
clouds.  The  thunder  celebrates  his  praise, 
and  the  angels  also,  for  fear  of  him.  He 
sends  his  thunderbolts  and  strikes  there- 
with whom  he  pleases,  while  they  dispute 
concerning  God,  for  he  is  mighty  in 
power.  He  ought  of  right  to  be  invoked ; 
and  the  idols  which  they  invoke  besides 
him,  shall  not  hear  them  at  all ;  other- 
wise than  as  he  is  heard,  who  stretches 
forth  his  hand  to  the  water  that  it  may 
ascend  to  his  mouth,  when  it  can- 
not ascend  thither:  the  supplication  of 
the  unbelievers  is  utterly  erroneous. 
Whatever  is  in  heaven  and  on  earth 
worships  God,  voluntarily  or  of  force ; 
and  their  shadows  also,  morning  and 
evening.  Say,  Who  is  the  Lord  of 
heaven  and  earth  ?     Answer,  God. 


173 


IDOLS 


Say,  Have  you  therefore  taken  unto 
yourselves  protectors  beside  him,  who  are 
unable  either  to  help,  or  to  defend  them- 
selves from  hurt  ?  Say,  Shall  the  blind  and 
the  seeing  be  esteemed  equal  ?  or  shall 
darkness  and  light  be  accounted  the 
same  ?  or  have  they  attributed  compan- 
ions unto  God,  who  have  created  as  he 
has  created,  so  that  their  creation  bear 


any  resemblance  unto  his  ?  Say,  God 
is  the  creator  of  all  things ;  he  is  the 
one,  the  victorious  God.  He  causes 
water  to  descend  from  heaven,  and  the 
brooks  flow  according  to  their  respective 
measure,  and  the  floods  bear  the  floating 
froth :  and  from  the  metals  which  they 
melt  in  the  fire,  seeking  to  cast  orna- 
ments or  vessels  for  use,  there  arises  a 
scum  like  unto  it.  Thus  God  sets 
forth  truth  and  vanity.  But  the  scum  is 
thrown  oflF,  and  that  which  is  useful  to 
mankind  remains  on  the  earth.  Thus 
God  puts  forth  parables. 

PARADISE 

Unto  those  who  obey  their  Lord  shall 
be  given  the  most  excellent  reward : 
but  those  who  obey  him  not,  although 
they  were  possessed  of  whatever  is  in 
the  whole  earth  and  as  much  more,  they 
would  give  it  all  for  their  ransom.  These 
will  be  brought  to  a  terrible  account : 
their  abode  shall  be  hell ;  an  unhappy 
couch  shall  it  be !  Shall  he,  therefore, 
who  knows  that  what  has  been  sent 
175 


down  unto  thee  from  thy  Lord,  is  truth, 
be  rewarded  as  he  who  is  blind  ?  The 
prudent  only  will  consider ;  who  fulfil 
the  covenant  of  God,  and  break  not 
their  contract;  and  who  join  that  which 
God  has  commanded  to  be  joined,  and 
who  fear  their  Lord,  and  dread  an  ill 
account;  and  who  persevere  out  of  a 
sincere  desire  to  please  their  Lord,  and 
observe  the  stated  times  of  prayer,  and 
give  alms  out  of  what  we  have  bestowed 
on  them,  in  secret  and  openly,  and  who 
turn  away  evil  with  good :  the  reward 
of  these  shall  be  paradise,  gardens  of 
eternal  abode,  which  they  shall  enter, 
and  also  whoever  shall  have  acted  up- 
rightly, of  their  fathers,  and  their 
wives,  and  their  posterity;  and  the 
angels  shall  go  in  unto  them  by  every 
gate,  saying.  Peace  be  upon  you,  because 
you  have  endured  with  patience;  how 
excellent  a  reward  is  paradise ! 

But  as  for  those  who  violate  the 
covenant  of  God,  after  the  establishment 
thereof,  and  who  cut  in  sunder  that 
which  God  has  commanded  to  be  joined, 
and  act  corruptly  in  the  earth,  on  them 
176 


shall  a  curse  fall,  and  they  shall  have  a 
miserable  dwelling  in  hell.  God  gives 
provision  in  abundance  unto  whom  he 
pleases,  and  is  sparing  unto  whom 
he  pleases. 

IN    THE    NAME   OF    THE    MOST   MERCIFUL 
GOD 

The  time  may  come  when  the  unbe- 
lievers shall  wish  that  they  had  been 
Moslems.  Suffer  them  to  eat  and  to 
enjoy  themselves  in  this  world ;  and  let 
hope  entertain  them  :  but  they  shall  here- 
after know  their  folly.  We  have  not 
destroyed  any  city,  but  a  fixed  term  of 
repentance  was  appointed  it.  No  nation 
shall  be  punished  before  their  time  shall 
be  come ;  neither  shall  they  be  respited 
after.  The  Meccans  say,  O  thou  to 
whom  the  admonition  hath  been  sent 
down,  thou  art  certainly  possessed  with 
a  devil :  wouldst  thou  not  have  come 
unto  us  with  an  attendance  of  angels,  if 
thou  hadst  spoken  truth  ? 


177 


SCOFFERS 

Answer,  We  send  not  down  the  angels, 
unless  on  a  just  occasion ;  nor  should 
they  be  then  respited  any  longer.  We 
have  surely  sent  down  the  Koran ;  and 
we  will  certainly  preserve  the  same  from 
corruption.  We  have  heretofore  sent 
apostles  before  thee,  among  the  ancient 
sects  :  and  there  came  no  apostle  unto 
them,  but  they  laughed  him  to  scorn. 
In  the  same  manner  will  we  put  it  into 
the  hearts  of  the  wicked  Meccans  to 
scofF  at  their  prophet :  they  shall  not  be- 
lieve on  him;  and  the  sentence  of  the 
nations  of  old  has  been  executed  hereto- 
fore. If  we  should  open  a  gate  in  the 
heaven  above  them,  and  they  should 
ascend  thereto  all  the  day  long,  they 
would  surely  say.  Our  eyes  are  only 
dazzled ;  or  rather  we  are  a  people  de- 
luded by  enchantments. 

We  have  placed  the  twelve  signs  in 
the  heaven,  and  have  set  them  out  in 
various  figures,  for  the  observation  of 
spectators :  and  we  guard  them  from 
every   devil    driven    away   with    stones ; 

178 


except    him   who  listens   by   stealth,  at 
whom  a  visible  flame  is  darted. 


god's  power 

We  have  also  spread  forth  the  earth, 
and  thrown  thereon  stable  mountains; 
and  we  have  caused  every  kind  of  vege- 
tables to  spring  forth  in  the  same,  ac- 
cording to  a  determinate  weight :  and 
we  have  provided  therein  necessaries  of 
life  for  you,  and  for  him  whom  you  do 
not  sustain.  There  is  no  one  thing  but 
the  storehouses  thereof  are  in  our  hands  ; 
and  we  distribute  not  the  same  otherwise 
than  in  a  determinate  measure.  We  also 
send  the  winds  driving  the  pregnant 
clouds,  and  we  send  down  from  heaven 
water,  whereof  we  give  you  to  drink, 
and  which  you  keep  not  in  store.  Verily 
we  give  life,  and  we  put  to  death ;  and 
we  are  the  heirs  of  all  things.  We  know 
those  among  you  who  go  before;  and 
we  know  those  who  stay  behind.  And 
thy  Lord  shall  gather  them  together  at 
the  last  day;  for  he  is  knowing  and 
wise. 

179. 


Wc  created  man  of  dried  clay,  of 
black  mud,  formed  into  shape :  and  we 
had  before  created  the  devil  of  subtle  fire. 
And  remember  when  thy  Lord  said  be- 
fore the  angels.  Verily  I  am  about  to 
create  man  of  dried  clay,  of  black  mud, 
wrought  into  shape ;  when  therefore  I 
shall  have  completely  formed  him,  and 
shall  have  breathed  of  my  spirit  into 
him;  do  you  fall  down  and  worship 
him.  And  all  the  angels  worshipped 
Adam  together,  except  Iblis,  who  refused 
to  be  with  those  who  worshipped  him. 
And  God  said  unto  him,  O  Iblis,  what 
hindered  thee  from  being  with  those  who 
worshipped  Adam  ? 

GOD    AND    IBLIS 

He  answered.  It  is  not  fit  that  I  should 
worship  man,  whom  thou  hast  created 
of  dried  clay,  of  black  mud,  wrought 
into  shape.  God  said.  Get  thee  there- 
fore hence;  for  thou  shalt  be  driven 
away  with  stones :  and  a  curse  shall  be 
on  thee,  until  the  day  of  judgment. 

The  devil  said,  O  Lord,  give  me  res- 
l8o 


pite  until  the  day  of  resurrection.  God 
answered,  Verily  thou  shalt  be  one  of 
those  who  are  respited  until  the  day  of 
the  appointed  time. 

The  devil  replied,  O  Lord,  because 
thou  hast  seduced  me,  I  will  surely  tempt 
them  to  disobedience  in  the  earth ;  and 
I  will  seduce  them  all,  except  such  of 
them  as  shall  be  thy  chosen  servants. 

God  said,  This  is  the  right  way  with 
me.  Verily  as  to  my  servants,  thou 
shalt  have  no  power  over  them  ;  but  over 
those  only  who  shall  be  seduced,  and 
who  shall  follow  thee.  And  hell  is 
surely  denounced  unto  them  all :  it  has 
seven  gates ;  unto  every  gate  a  distinct 
company  of  them  shall  be  assigned.  But 
those  who  fear  God  shall  dwell  in  gar- 
dens, amidst  fountains.  The  angels 
shall  say  unto  them.  Enter  therein  in 
peace  and  security.  And  we  will  re- 
move all  grudges  from  their  breasts; 
they  shall  be  as  brethren,  sitting  over 
against  one  another  on  couches :  weari- 
ness shall  not  affect  them  therein,  neither 
shall  they  ever  be  cast  out  thence. 

Declare  unto  my  servants  that  I  am 
i8i 


the  gracious,  the  merciful  God;  and 
that  my  punishment  is  a  grievous  pun- 
ishment. 

god's  benefactions 

The  sentence  of  God  will  surely  come 
to  be  executed  ;  wherefore  do  not  hasten 
it.  Praise  be  unto  him  !  and  far  be  that 
from  him  which  they  associate  with  him  ! 
He  shall  cause  the  angels  to  descend  with 
a  revelation  by  his  command,  unto  such 
of  his  servants  as  he  pleases,  saying, 
Preach  that  there  is  no  God,  except 
myself  J  therefore  fear  me.  He  created 
the  heavens  and  the  earth  to  manifest 
his  justice  :  far  be  that  from  him  which 
they  associate  with  him  !  He  created 
man  of  seed;  and  yet  behold,  he  is  a 
professed  disputer  against  the  resurrec- 
tion. He  likewise  created  the  cattle  for 
you :  from  them  you  have  wherewith  to 
keep  yourselves  warm,  and  other  advan- 
tages ;  and  of  them  do  you  also  eat.  And 
they  are  likewise  a  credit  unto  you,  when 
you  drive  them  home  in  the  evening,  and 
when  you  lead  them  forth  to  feed  in  the 
182 


morning :  and  they  carry  your  burdens 
to  a  distant  country,  at  which  you  could 
not  otherwise  arrive,  unless  with  great 
difficulty  to  yourselves ;  for  your  Lord 
is  compassionate  and  merciful.  And  he 
also  created  horses,  and  mules,  and  asses, 
that  you  may  ride  thereon,  and  for  an 
ornament  unto  you;  and  he  likewise 
creates  other  things  which  you  know  not. 
It  appertains  unto  God,  to  instruct 
men  in  the  right  way ;  and  there  is  who 
turns  aside  from  the  same :  but  if  he 
had  pleased,  he  would  certainly  have 
directed  you  all.  He  sends  down  from 
heaven  rain  water,  whereof  you  have  to 
drink,  and  from  which  plants,  whereon 
you  feed  your  cattle,  receive  their  nour- 
ishment. And  by  means  thereof  he 
causes  corn,  and  olives  and  palm-trees 
and  grapes  and  all  kinds  of  fruits  to 
spring  forth  for  you.  Surely  herein  is 
a  sign  of  the  divine  power  and  wisdom 
unto  people  who  consider.  And  he  sub- 
jected the  night  and  the  day  to  your 
service ;  and  the  sun  and  the  moon  and 
the  stars,  which  are  compelled  to  serve 
by  his  command. 

183 


Verily  herein  are  signs  unto  people  of 
understanding.  And  he  also  gave  you 
dominion  over  whatever  he  created  for 
you  in  the  earth,  distinguished  by  its 
different  colour. 

Surely  herein  is  a  sign  unto  people 
who  reflect.  He  subjected  the  sea  unto 
you,  that  you  might  eat  fish  thereout, 
and  take  from  thence  ornaments  for  you 
to  wear :  and  thou  seest  the  ships  plough- 
ing the  waves  thereof,  that  you  may  seek 
to  enrich  yourselves  of  his  abundance, 
by  commerce ;  and  that  you  might  give 
thanks.  And  he  threw  upon  the  earth 
mountains  firmly  rooted,  lest  it  should 
move  with  you,  and  also  rivers,  and 
paths,  that  you  might  be  directed :  and 
he  likewise  ordained  marks  whereby  men 
may  know  their  way;  and  they  are 
directed  by  the  stars.  Shall  God  there- 
fore who  creates,  be  as  he  who  creates 
not  ?  Do  you  not  therefore  consider  ? 
If  you  attempt  to  reckon  up  the  favours 
of  God,  you  shall  not  be  able  to  com- 
pute their  number :  God  is  surely  gra- 
cious, and  merciful ;  and  God  knows 
that  which  you  conceal  and  that  which 
184 


you  publish.  But  the  idols  which  you 
invoke,  besides  God,  create  nothing,  but 
are  themselves  created.  They  are  dead, 
and  not  living;  neither  do  they  under- 
stand when  they  shall  be  raised.  Your 
God  is  one  God. 


185 


THE   LIFE   TO   COME 

As  to  those  who  believe  not  in  the 
life  to  come,  their  hearts  deny  the  plain- 
est evidence,  and  they  proudly  reject 
the  truth.  There  is  no  doubt  but  God 
knows  that  which  they  conceal  and  that 
which  they  discover :  verily  he  loves  not 
the  proud.  And  when  it  is  said  unto 
them.  What  has  your  Lord  sent  down 
unto  Mohammed  ?  they  answer.  Fables 
of  ancient  times.  Thus  are  they  given 
1 86 


up  to  error,  that  they  may  bear  their  own 
burdens  without  diminution  on  the  day 
of  resurrection,  and  also  a  part  of  the 
burdens  of  those  whom  they  caused  to 
err,  without  knowledge.  Will  it  not  be 
an  evil  burden  which  they  shall  bear? 
Their  predecessors  devised  plots  hereto- 
fore ;  but  God  came  unto  their  building, 
to  overthrow  it  from  the  foundations : 
and  the  roof  fell  on  them  from  above, 
and  a  punishment  came  upon  them,  from 
whence  they  did  not  expect. 

Also  on  the  day  of  resurrection  he 
will  cover  them  with  shame ;  and  will 
say.  Where  are  my  companions,  con- 
cerning whom  you  disputed  ?  Those 
unto  whom  knowledge  shall  have  been 
given,  shall  answer.  This  day  shall 
shame  and  misery  fall  upon  the  unbe- 
lievers. They  whom  the  angels  shall 
cause  to  die,  having  dealt  unjustly  with 
their  own  souls,  shall  offer  to  make 
their  peace  in  the  article  of  death,  say- 
ing. We  have  done  no  evil. 

But  the  angels  shall  reply.  Yea ;  verily 
God  knows  well  that  which  you  have 
wrought:  wherefore  enter  the  gates  of 

187 


hell,  therein  to  remain  for  ever;  and 
miserable  shall  be  the  abode  of  the 
proud. 

And  it  shall  be  said  unto  those  who 
shall  fear  God,  What  has  your  Lord 
sent  down  ?  They  shall  answer.  Good  : 
unto  those  who  do  right  shall  be  given 
an  excellent  reward  in  this  world;  but 
the  dwelling  of  the  next  life  shall  be 
better;  and  happy  shall  be  the  dwelling 
of  the  pious  !  namely,  gardens  of  eternal 
abode,  into  which  they  shall  enter ;  rivers 
shall  flow  beneath  the  same;  therein 
shall  they  enjoy  whatever  they  wish. 
Thus  will  God  recompense  the  pious. 
Unto  the  righteous  whom  the  angels 
shall  cause  to  die,  they  shall  say.  Peace 
be  upon  you ;  enter  into  paradise,  as  a 
reward  for  that  which  you  have  wrought. 
Do  the  unbelievers  expect  any  other  than 
that  the  angels  come  unto  them,  to  part 
their  souls  from  their  bodies  ;  or  that  the 
sentence  of  thy  Lord  come  to  be  exe- 
cuted on  them  ? 


i88 


THE    BEE 

Verily  herein  is  a  sign  unto  people 
who  understand.  Thy  Lord  spake  by 
inspiration  unto  the  bee,  saying,  provide 
thee  houses  in  the  mountains,  and  in  the 
trees,  and  of  those  materials  wherewith 
men  build  hives  for  thee :  then  eat  of 
every  kind  of  fruit,  and  walk  in  the 
beaten  paths  of  thy  Lord.  There  pro- 
ceeds from  their  bellies  a  liquor  of  various 
colours :  wherein  is  a  medicine  for  men. 
Verily  herein  is  a  sign  unto  people  who 
consider.  God  created  you,  and  he  will 
hereafter  cause  you  to  die :  and  some  of 
you  shall  have  his  life  prolonged  to  a  de- 
crepit age,  so  that  he  shall  forget  what- 
ever he  knew;  for  God  is  wise  and 
powerful.  God  causes  some  of  you  to 
excel  others  in  worldly  possessions :  yet 
they  who  are  caused  to  excel,  do  not  give 
their  wealth  unto  the  slaves  whom  their 
right  hands  possess,  that  they  may 
become  equal  sharers  therein.  Do 
they  therefore  deny  the  beneficence  of 
God  ?  God  has  ordained  you  wives 
from  among  yourselves,  and  of  your 
189 


wives  has  granted  you  children  and 
grandchildren  ;  and  has  bestowed  on  you 
good  things  for  food.  Will  they  there- 
fore believe  in  that  which  is  vain,  and 
ungratefully  deny  the  goodness  of  God  ? 
They  worship,  besides  God,  idols  which 
possess  nothing  wherewith  to  sustain 
them,  either  in  heaven,  or  on  earth ;  and 
have  no  power.  Wherefore  liken  not 
anything  unto  God :  for  God  knows, 
but  you  know  not. 

IDOLS 

God  propounds  as  a  parable  a  possessed 
slave,  who  has  power  over  nothing,  and 
him  on  whom  we  have  bestowed  a  good 
provision  from  us,  and  who  gives  alms 
thereout  both  secretly  and  openly :  shall 
these  two  be  esteemed  equal  ?  God  for- 
bid !  But  the  greater  part  of  them  know 
it  not. 

God  also  propounds  as  a  parable  two 
men ;  one  of  them  born  dumb,  who  is 
unable  to  do  or  understand  anything,  but 
is  a  burden  unto  his  master;  whither- 
soever he  shall  send  him,  he  shall  not 
190 


return  with  any  good  success :  shall  this 
man,  and  he  who  has  his  speech  and 
understanding,  and  who  commands  that 
which  is  just,  and  follows  the  right  way, 
be  esteemed  equal  ?  Unto  God  alone  is 
the  secret  of  heaven  and  earth  known. 
And  the  business  of  the  last  hour  shall 
be  only  as  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  or 
even  more  quick :  for  God  is  almighty. 

God  has  brought  you  forth  from  the 
wombs  of  your  mothers ;  you  knew 
nothing,  and  he  gave  you  the  senses  of 
hearing  and  seeing,  and  understandings, 
that  you  might  give  thanks.  Do  they 
not  behold  the  fowls  which  are  enabled 
to  fly  in  the  open  firmament  of  heaven  ? 
none  supports  them  except  God.  Verily 
herein  are  signs  unto  people  who  believe. 

god's  provision 

God  has  also  provided  your  houses 
for  habitations  for  you ;  and  has  also 
provided  you  tents  of  the  skins  of  cattle, 
which  you  find  light  to  be  removed  on 
the  day  of  your  departure  to  new  quarters, 
and  easy  to  be  pitched  on  the  day  of 
191 


your  sitting  down  therein :  and  of  their 
wool  and  their  fur  and  their  hair  has  he 
supplied  you  with  furniture  and  house- 
hold-stuiF  for  a  season.  And  God  has 
provided  for  you,  of  that  which  he  has 
created,  conveniences  to  shade  you  from 
the  sun,  and  he  has  also  provided  you 
places  of  retreat  in  the  mountains,  and 
he  has  given  you  garments  to  defend  you 
from  the  heat,  and  coats  of  mail  to 
defend  you  in  your  wars.  Thus  doth 
he  accomplish  his  favour  towards  you, 
that  you  may  resign  yourselves  unto 
him. 


192 


THE   KORAN 

We  have  sent  down  unto  thee  the 
book  of  the  Koran,  for  an  explication  of 
everything  necessary  both  as  to  faith 
and  practice,  and  a  direction,  and  mercy, 
and  good  tidings  unto  the  Moslems. 
Verily  God  commands  justice,  and  the 
doing  of  good,  and  the  giving  unto 
kindred  what  shall  be  necessary ;  and  he 
forbids  wickedness,  and  iniquity,  and 
oppression  :  he  admonishes  you  that  you 
193 


may  remember.  Perform  your  covenant 
with  God,  when  you  enter  into  covenant 
with  him  J  and  violate  not  your  oaths, 
after  the  ratification  thereof;  since  you 
have  made  God  a  witness  over  you. 
Verily  God  knows  that  which  you 
do. 

And  be  not  like  unto  her  who  undoes 
that  which  she  has  spun,  untwisting  it 
after  she  has  twisted  it  strongly ;  taking 
your  oaths  between  you  deceitfully,  be- 
cause one  party  is  more  numerous  than 
another  party.  Verily  God  only  tempts 
you  therein ;  and  he  will  make  that 
manifest  unto  you,  on  the  day  of  resur- 
rection, concerning  which  you  now  dis- 
agree. If  God  had  pleased,  he  would 
surely  have  made  you  one  people :  but 
he  will  lead  into  error  whom  he  pleases, 
and  he  will  direct  whom  he  pleases ;  and 
you  shall  surely  give  an  account  of  that 
which  you  have  done.  Therefore  take 
not  your  oaths  between  you  deceitfully, 
lest  your  foot  slip,  after  it  has  been  stead- 
fastly fixed,  and  you  taste  evil  in  this 
life,  because  you  have  turned  aside  from 
the  way  of  God ;  and  you  suffer  a  griev- 
194 


ous  punishment  in  the  hfc  to  come. 
And  sell  not  the  covenant  of  God  for  a 
small  price;  for  with  God  is  a  better 
recompense  prepared  for  you,  if  you  be 
men  of  understanding.  That  which  is 
with  you  will  fail;  but  that  which  is 
with  God  is  permanent :  and  we  will 
surely  reward  those  who  shall  persevere, 
according  to  the  utmost  merit  of  their 
actions. 

RIGHTEOUSNESS 

Whoever  works  righteousness, 
whether  he  be  male  or  female,  and  is  a 
true  believer,  we  will  surely  raise  him  to 
a  happy  life;  and  we  will  give  him  his 
reward,  according  to  the  utmost  merit  of 
his  actions. 

FOOD 

Eat  of  what  God  has  given  you  for 
food,  that  which  is  lawful  and  good ;  and 
be  thankful  for  the  favours  of  God,  if 
you  serve  him.  He  has  only  forbidden 
you  that  which  dies  of  itself,  and  blood, 
195 


and  swine's  flesh,  and  that  which  has 
been  slain  in  the  name  of  any,  besides 
God.  But  unto  him  who  shall  be  com- 
pelled by  necessity  to  eat  of  these  things, 
not  lusting  nor  wilfully  transgressing, 
God  will  surely  be  gracious  and  merciful. 
And  say  not  that  wherein  your  tongues 
utter  a  lie;  This  is  lawful,  and  this  is 
unlawful ;  that  you  may  devise  a  lie  con- 
cerning God :  for  they  who  devise  a  lie 
concerning  God,  shall  not  prosper.  They 
shall  have  small  enjoyment  in  this  world, 
and  in  that  which  is  to  come  they  shall 
suffer  a  grievous  torment. 

IGNORANCE 

Moreover  thy  Lord  will  be  favourable 
unto  those  who  do  evil  through  ignorance; 
and  afterwards  repent  and  amend  :  verily 
unto  these  will  thy  Lord  be  gracious  and 
merciful,  after  their  repentance. 

Abraham  was  a  model  of  true  religion, 
obedient  unto  God,  orthodox,  and  was 
not  an  idolater :  he  was  also  grateful  for 
his  benefits :  wherefore  God  chose  him, 
and  directed  him  into  the  right  way. 
196 


And  wc  bestowed  on  him  good  in  this 
world ;  and  in  the  next  he  shall  surely 
be  one  of  the  righteous.  We  have  also 
spoken  unto  thee,  O  Mohammed,  by 
revelation,  saying.  Follow  the  religion  of 
Abraham,  who  was  orthodox,  and  was 
no  idolater.  Invite  men  unto  the  way 
of  thy  Lord,  by  wisdom,  and  mild  exhor- 
tation ;  and  dispute  with  them  in  the 
most  condescending  manner:  for  thy 
Lord  well  knows  him  who  strays  from 
his  path,  and  he  well  knows  those  who 
are  rightly  directed.  If  you  take  ven- 
geance on  any,  take  a  vengeance  propor- 
tionable to  the  wrong  which  has  been 
done  you;  but  if  you  suffer  wrong 
patiently,  verily  this  will  be  better  for 
the  patient.  Wherefore  bear  opposition 
with  patience ;  but  thy  patience  shall  not 
be  practicable,  unless  with  God's  assist- 
ance. And  be  not  grieved  on  account 
of  the  unbelievers;  neither  be  troubled 
for  that  which  they  subtilely  devise ;  for 
God  is  with  those  who  fear  him,  and 
are  upright. 

Verily   this    Koran   directs    unto    the 
way  which  is  most   right,  and  declares 
197 


unto  the  faithful,  who  do  good  works, 
that  they  shall  receive  a  great  reward; 
and  that  for  those  who  believe  not  in  the 
life  to  come,  we  have  prepared  a  grievous 
punishment.  Man  prays  for  evil,  as  he 
prays  for  good ;  for  man  is  hasty.  We 
have  ordained  the  night  and  the  day  for 
two  signs  of  our  power :  afterwards  we 
blot  out  the  sign  of  the  night,  and  we 
cause  the  sign  of  the  day  to  shine  forth, 
that  you  may  endeavour  to  obtain  plenty 
from  your  Lord  by  doing  your  business 
therein,  and  that  you  may  know  the 
number  of  years,  and  the  computation 
of  time ;  and  everything  necessary  have 
we  explained  by  a  perspicuous  explication. 

THE    BOOK    OF    LIFE 

The  fate  of  every  man  have  we  bound 
about  his  neck;  and  we  will  produce 
unto  him,  on  the  day  of  resurrection,  a 
book  wherein  his  actions  shall  be 
recorded :  it  shall  be  offered  him  open, 
and  the  angels  shall  say  unto  him.  Read 
thy  book ;  thine  own  soul  will  be  a  suf- 
ficient accountant  against  thee,  this  day. 
198 


He  who  shall  be  rightly  directed,  shall  be 
directed  to  the  advantage  only  of  his 
own  soul;  and  he  who  shall  err,  shall 
err  only  against  the  same  :  neither  shall 
any  laden  soul  be  charged  with  the  burden 
of  another.  We  did  not  punish  any 
people,  until  we  had  first  sent  an  apostle 
to  warn  them.  And  when  we  resolved 
to  destroy  a  city,  we  commanded  the 
inhabitants  thereof,  who  lived  in  afflu- 
ence, to  obey  our  apostle;  but  they 
acted  corruptly  therein :  wherefore  the 
sentence  was  justly  pronounced  against 
that  city ;  and  we  destroyed  it  with  an 
utter  destruction.  And  how  many  gen- 
erations have  we  consumed  since  Noah  ? 
for  thy  Lord  sufficiently  knows  and  sees 
the  sins  of  his  servants. 

THIS   LIFE    AND    THE    NEXT 

Whoever  chooses  this  transitory  life, 
we  will  bestow  on  him  therein  before- 
hand that  which  we  please :  on  him, 
namely,  whom  we  please :  afterwards 
will  we  appoint  him  hell  for  his  abode ; 
he  shall  be  thrown  into  the  same  to  be 
199 


scorched,  covered    with    ignominy,   and 
utterly  rejected  from  mercy. 

But  whoever  chooses  the  life  to  come, 
and  directs  his  endeavour  toward  the 
same,  being  also  a  true  believer;  the 
endeavour  of  these  shall  be  acceptable 
unto  God.  On  all  will  we  bestow  the 
blessings  of  this  life,  both  on  these  and 
on  those,  of  the  gift  of  thy  Lord ;  for 
the  gift  of  thy  Lord  shall  not  be  denied 
unto  any.  Behold,  how  we  have  caused 
some  of  them  to  surpass  others  in  wealth 
and  dignity :  but  the  next  life  shall  be 
more  considerable  in  degrees  of  honour, 
and  greater  in  excellence. 

TRUE  LIBERALITY 

Set  not  up  another  god  with  the  true 
God,  lest  thou  sit  down  in  disgrace,  and 
destitute.  Thy  Lord  commands  that 
you  worship  none  besides  him  ;  and  that 
you  show  kindness  unto  your  parents, 
whether  the  one  of  them,  or  both  of 
them  attain  to  old  age  with  thee.  Where- 
fore say  not  unto  them.  Fie  on  you ! 
neither  reproach  them,  but  speak  respect- 
200 


fully  unto  them ;  and  submit  to  behave 
humbly  towards  them,  out  of  tender 
affection,  and  say,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  them  both,  as  they  nursed  me  when  I 
was  little.  Your  Lord  well  knows  that 
which  is  in  your  souls ;  whether  you  be 
men  of  integrity  :  and  he  will  be  gra- 
cious unto  those  who  sincerely  return 
unto  him.  And  give  unto  him  who  is 
of  kin  to  you  his  due,  and  also  unto  the 
poor,  and  the  traveller.  And  waste  not 
thy  substance  profusely  :  for  the  profuse 
are  brethren  of  the  devils  :  and  the  devil 
was  ungrateful  unto  his  Lord.  But  if 
thou  turn  from  them,  in  expectation  of 
the  mercy  which  thou  hopest  from  thy 
Lord ;  at  least,  speak  kindly  unto  them. 
And  let  not  thy  hand  be  tied  up  to  thy 
neck ;  neither  open  it  with  an  unbounded 
expansion,  lest  thou  become  worthy  of 
reprehension,  and  be  reduced  to  poverty. 
Verily  thy  Lord  will  enlarge  the  store  of 
whom  he  pleases,  and  will  be  sparing 
unto  whom  he  pleases;  for  he  knows 
and  regards  his  servants. 


20I 


PRECEPTS 

Walk  not  proudly  in  the  land,  for 
thou  canst  not  cleave  the  earth,  neither 
shalt  thou  equal  the  mountains  in  stat- 
ure. All  this  is  evil,  and  abominable  in 
the  sight  of  thy  Lord.  These  precepts 
are  a  part  of  the  wisdom  which  thy  Lord 
has  revealed  unto  thee.  Set  not  up  any 
other  god  as  equal  unto  God,  lest  thou 
be  cast  into  hell,  reproved  and  rejected. 
Has  your  Lord  preferably  granted  unto 
you  sons,  and  taken  for  himself  daugh- 
ters from  among  the  angels  ?  Verily  in 
asserting  this  you  utter  a  grievous  saying. 
And  now  have  we  used  various  argu- 
ments and  repetitions  in  this  Koran,  that 
they  may  be  warned ;  yet  it  only  renders 
them  more  disposed  to  fly  from  the  truth. 
Say  unto  the  idolaters.  If  there  were 
other  gods  with  him,  as  you  say,  they 
would  surely  seek  an  occasion  of  making 
some  attempt  against  the  possessor  of  the 
throne :  God  forbid  !  and  far,  very  far, 
be  that  from  him  which  they  utter  !  The 
seven  heavens  praise  him,  and  the  earth, 
and  all  who  arc  therein  :  neither  is  there 
202 


anything  which  does  not  celebrate  his 
praise ;  but  you  understand  not  their  cele- 
bration thereof:  he  is  gracious  and  mer- 
ciful. 


203 


THE   UNITY   OF   GOD 

When  thou  readest  the  Koran,  we 
place  between  thee  and  those  who  believe 
not  in  the  life  to  come,  a  dark  veil ;  and 
we  put  coverings  over  their  hearts,  lest 
they  should  understand  it,  and  in  their 
ears  thickness  of  hearing.  And  when 
thou  makest  mention,  in  repeating  the 
Koran,  of  thy  Lord  only,  they  turn  their 
backs,  flying  the  doctrine  of  his  unity. 
We  well  know  with  what  design  they 
204 


hearken,  when  they  hearken  unto  thee, 
and  when  they  privately  discourse 
together :  when  the  ungodly  say,  You 
follow  no  other  than  a  madman.  Behold  ! 
what  epithets  they  bestow  on  thee.  But 
they  are  deceived ;  neither  can  they  find 
any  just  occasion  to  reproach  thee. 
They  also  say.  After  we  shall  have 
become  bones  and  dust,  shall  we  surely 
be  raised  a  new  creature  ?  Answer,  Be 
stones,  or  iron,  or  some  creature  more 
improbable  in  your  opinions  to  be  raised 
to  life. 

But  they  will  say.  Who  shall  restore 
us  to  life  ?  Answer,  He  who  created 
you  the  first  time :  and  they  will  wag 
their  heads  at  thee,  saying,  When  shall 
this  be  ? 


THE     RESURRECTION 

Answer,  Peradventure  it  is  nigh.  On 
that  day  shall  God  call  you  forth  from 
your  sepulchres,  and  you  shall  obey,  with 
celebration  of  his  praise ;  and  you  shall 
think  that  you  tarried  but  a  little  while. 
Speak  unto  my  servants,  that  they  speak 
205 


mildly  unto  the  unbelievers,  lest  you 
exasperate  them ;  for  Satan  sows  discord 
among  them,  and  Satan  is  a  declared 
enemy  unto  man. 


IBLIS    AND    MAN 

And  remember  when  we  said  unto 
the  angels.  Worship  Adam;  and  they 
all  worshipped  him  except  Iblis,  who 
said.  Shall  I  worship  him  whom  thou 
hast  created  of  clay  ?  And  he  said. 
What  thinkest  thou,  as  to  this  man  whom 
thou  hast  honoured  above  me  ?  verily, 
if  thou  grant  me  respite  until  the  day  of 
resurrection,  1  will  extirpate  his  offspring, 
except  a  few. 

God  answered.  Be  gone,  I  grant  thee 
respite :  but  whoever  of  them  shall 
follow  thee,  hell  shall  surely  be  your 
reward;  an  ample  reward  for  your  de- 
merits !  And  entice  to  vanity  such  of 
them  as  thou  canst,  by  thy  voice;  and 
assault  them  on  all  sides  with  thy  horse- 
men and  thy  footmen ;  and  partake  with 
them  in  their  riches,  and  their  children ; 
and  make  them  promises;  (but  the 
206 


devil  shall  make  them  no  other  than 
deceitful  promises :)  as  to  my  servants, 
thou  shalt  have  no  power  over  them  ; 
for  thy  Lord  is  a  sufficient  protector  of 
those  who  trust  in  him. 

GOD*S    GENEROSITY 

It  is  your  Lord  who  drives  forward 
the  ships  for  you  in  the  sea,  that  you 
may  seek  to  enrich  yourselves  of  his 
abundance  by  commerce  ;  for  he  is  mer- 
ciful toward  you.  When  a  misfortune 
befalls  you  at  sea,  the  false  deities  whom 
you  invoke  are  forgotten  by  you,  except 
him  alone :  yet  when  he  brings  you 
safe  to  dry  land,  you  retire  afar  ofF  from 
him,  and  return  to  your  idols  ;  for  man 
is  ungrateful. 

Are  you  therefore  secure  that  he  will 
not  cause  the  dry  land  to  swallow  you 
up,  or  that  he  will  not  send  against  you 
a  whirlwind  driving  the  sands  to  over- 
whelm you  ?  then  shall  you  find  none  to 
protect  you.  Or  are  you  secure  that  he 
will  not  cause  you  again  to  commit  your- 
selves to  the  sea  another  time,  and  send 
207 


against  you  a  tempestuous  wind,  and 
drown  you ;  because  you  have  been  un~ 
grateful  ?  then  shall  you  find  none  to 
defend  you  against  us,  in  that  distress. 
And  now  have  we  honoured  the  children 
of  Adam  by  sundry  peculiar  privileges 
and  endowments ;  and  we  have  given 
them  conveniences  of  carriage  by  land 
and  by  sea,  and  have  provided  food  for 
them  of  good  things ;  and  we  have  pre- 
ferred them  before  many  of  our  creatures 
which  we  have  created,  by  granting  them 
great  prerogatives. 

On  a  certain  day  we  will  call  all  men 
to  judgment  with  their  respective  leader : 
and  whoever  shall  have  his  book  given 
him  into  his  right  hand,  they  shall  read 
their  book  with  joy  and  satisfaction  ;  and 
they  shall  not  be  wronged  a  hair. 
And  whoever  has  been  blind  in  this  life, 
shall  be  also  blind  in  the  next,  and  shall 
wander  more  widely  from  the  path  of 
salvation. 


208 


PRAYERS 

Regularly  perform  thy  prayer  at  the 
declension  of  the  sun,  at  the  first  dark- 
ness of  the  night,  and  the  prayer 
of  daybreak;  for  the  prayer  of  day- 
break is  borne  witness  unto  by  the 
angels.  And  watch  some  part  of  the 
night  in  the  same  exercise,  as  a  work  of 
supererogation  for  thee;  peradventure 
thy  Lord  will  raise  thee  to  an  honour- 
able station.  And  say,  O  Lord,  cause 
me  to  enter  with  a  favourable  entry,  and 
cause  me  to  come  forth  with  a  favour- 
able coming  forth;  and  grant  me  from 
thee  an  assisting  power.  And  say. 
Truth  is  come,  and  falsehood  is  van- 
ished :  for  falsehood  is  of  short  contin- 
uance. 

We  send  down  of  the  Koran  that 
which  is  a  medicine  and  a  mercy  unto  the 
true  believers,  but  it  shall  only  increase 
the  perdition  of  the  unjust.  When  we 
bestow  favours  on  man,  he  retires  and 
withdraws  himself  ungratefully  from  us  : 
but  when  evil  touches  him,  he  despairs 
of  our  mercy. 

209 


Say,  Every  one  acts  after  his  own  man- 
ner :  but  your  Lord  best  knows  who  is 
most  truly  directed  in  his  way.  They 
will  ask  thee  concerning  the  spirit :  an- 
swer, The  spirit  was  created  at  the  com- 
mand of  my  Lord :  but  you  have  no 
knowledge  given  unto  you,  except  a  little. 
If  we  pleased,  we  should  certainly  take 
away  that  which  we  have  revealed  unto 
thee ;  in  such  case  thou  couldest  not  find 
any  to  assist  thee  therein  against  us,  un- 
less through  mercy  from  thy  Lord ;  for 
his  favour  towards  thee  has  been  great. 

THE    DAY    OF    RESURRECTION 

Whom  God  shall  direct,  he  shall  be 
the  rightly  directed ;  and  whom  he  shall 
cause  to  err,  thou  shalt  find  none  to 
assist,  besides  him.  And  we  will  gather 
them  together  on  the  day  of  resurrection, 
creeping  on  their  faces,  blind,  and  dumb, 
and  deaf :  their  abode  shall  be  hell ;  as 
often  as  the  fire  thereof  shall  be  extin- 
guished, we  will  rekindle  a  burning  flame 
to  torment  them.  This  shall  be  their 
reward,  because  they  disbelieve  in  our 

2IO 


signs,  and  say,  When  we  shall  have  been 
reduced  to  bones  and  dust,  shall  we 
surely  be  raised  new  creatures  ?  Do 
they  not  perceive  that  God,  who  created 
the  heavens  and  the  earth,  is  able  to  create 
other  bodies,  like  their  present  ?  And 
he  has  appointed  them  a  limited  term ; 
there  is  no  doubt  thereof:  but  the  un- 
godly reject  the  truth,  merely  out  of 
unbelief. 

THE    DIVISION    OF    THE   KORAN 

And  we  have  divided  the  Koran,  re- 
vealing it  by  parcels,  that  thou  mightest 
read  it  unto  men  with  deliberation ;  and 
we  have  sent  it  down,  causing  it  to 
descend  as  occasion  required.  Say, 
Whether  ye  believe  therein,  or  do  not 
believe,  verily  those  who  have  been 
favoured  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
scriptures  which  were  revealed  before  it, 
when  the  same  is  rehearsed  unto  them, 
fall  down  on  their  faces,  worshipping, 
and  say.  Our  Lord  be  praised,  for  that 
the  promise  of  our  Lord  is  surely  ful- 
filled !  And  they  fall  down  on  their  faces 

211 


weeping;    and  the  hearing   thereof   in- 
creases their  humility. 

Say,  Call  upon  God,  or  call  on  the 
Merciful :  by  whichever  of  the  two 
names  you  invoke  him,  it  is  equal ;  for 
he  has  most  excellent  names.  Pro- 
nounce not  thy  prayer  aloud,  neither 
pronounce  it  with  too  low  a  voice,  but 
follow  a  middle  way  between  these  :  and 
say,  Praise  be  unto  God,  who  has  not 
begotten  any  child ;  who  has  no  partner 
in  the  kingdom,  nor  has  any  to  protect 
him  from  contempt  :  and  magnify  him 
by  proclaiming  his  greatness. 

THE    END. 


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